LOS ANGELES -- The biggest question about the impending return of Fernando Tatis Jr. is still: When?

But maybe the second biggest question is: Where? Or, more specifically, what position?

Tatis has often asserted that he views himself as a shortstop. But as he continues to work his way back from a fractured bone in his left wrist, a new possibility has emerged: Tatis might return as an outfielder.

• Meet 'Mini Tatis,' young baseball prodigy

The Padres, at least, are keeping their options open. Tatis played outfield late last season after he returned from a shoulder injury, a move designed to ease the physical burden on him down the stretch, ensuring he'd remain healthy and on the field.

If Tatis were to return to the outfield, the team's reasoning would be different this year. They're getting sub-par production from their outfielders. Meanwhile, in the infield, Ha-Seong Kim has been excellent defensively at shortstop, and Padres' top prospect C.J. Abrams is a shortstop, as well.

For this particular roster, Tatis might actually fit better as an outfielder. Though Tatis' preference is to remain at short, he indicated Saturday that he’d be open to a move.

"Wherever they need me," Tatis said. "We're going to talk. But I've been [rehabbing] mostly at shortstop so far. I've been moving around everywhere, but it's been mostly shortstop so far."

Tatis is still awaiting clearance to begin swinging at full capacity, and the Padres have said they won't have a timetable for his return until that happens. In the meantime, however, Tatis has been cleared to ramp up his defensive work.

As he noted, most of that work has come at shortstop. Typically, in the hours leading up to Padres games, Tatis takes ground balls and does other drills from shortstop. But on certain days -- like Friday afternoon at Dodger Stadium -- he gets reps in the outfield, shagging fly balls and throwing to different bases.

"I've been moving around, just testing it out," Tatis said. "It's good, staying active."

Even if Tatis makes his return as a full-time shortstop, the Padres believe the best path for his rehab is to diversify his workouts. He's not yet cleared to swing fully, but he's able to work at near full speed on defense. Why not move him around the diamond and test him in different ways?

But that's only part of it. Team officials have long believed Tatis would be an outstanding defensive outfielder, and it just so happens that's the Padres' biggest area of need right now.

Then again, if Tatis were to switch positions, it would create something of a deficiency at short. Kim has been excellent defensively. Abrams, 21, still has sky-high upside. But in the present, both are struggling at the plate. This season, Padres shortstops have combined to post a .197/.286/.287 slash line entering play Saturday. The .573 OPS ranks 28th among the 30 Major League clubs.

The numbers aren't much better in right and center field. If Tatis were to play the outfield, it's not entirely clear which spot he'd play. (Last season, he played both center and right -- and did so competently at both positions.)

Of course, because Tatis' return is unlikely to come until after the All-Star break, the Padres have time to assess their options. Right fielder Wil Myers (right knee inflammation) is expected to return to the lineup before Tatis does. There's also the not-so-small matter of the Trade Deadline. The Padres are expected to pursue an outfield bat over the next month. They almost certainly wouldn't trade for a shortstop, considering the presence of Tatis, Abrams, Kim and even Jake Cronenworth.

So, with all of that in mind, is a move to the outfield in the cards for Tatis? Manager Bob Melvin didn't rule it out.

"I really don't know yet," Melvin said. "It depends on once he gets here where our need is. This guy can play any position on the field. I don't think we're saying: This is the particular position for him. It's just as much about conditioning and getting his arm in shape being in the outfield."