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Manny Machado’s return is getting closer.

The Padres star third baseman spent the past two days in Miami essentially going through a typical pregame workout. On Tuesday, his batting practice was even more extensive than usual, and he reported feeling few effects of the fractured left hand that landed him on the injured list two weeks ago.

The Padres are anticipating Machado’s return at some point on their forthcoming homestand. His presence will be a welcome one in the middle of a lineup that has mostly struggled. But it also raises a few notable questions …

1. What happens at the top of the lineup?

Lately, the Padres have had some success stacking Fernando Tatis Jr. and Juan Soto in their batting order in the 2-3 spots. They’ve continued to rotate leadoff hitters. But that Tatis-Soto combo has proven lethal -- particularly with Tatis wreaking havoc on the bases while Soto, perhaps the toughest out in the game, works deep counts.

“You want your best hitters in a row for the most part,” manager Bob Melvin said. “Those are two pretty good ones. So we’ll see. It’s something that we’ve wanted to do for a while. … Once we get Manny back, I feel like we have a pretty good dynamic.”

When Machado returns, it’s possible the Padres keep Tatis and Soto stacked, but in the 1-2 spots with Machado hitting behind them. Then again, it’s Soto’s stated preference to hit third, and his numbers since moving there have been excellent.

Would the Padres put Xander Bogaerts back at the top ahead of a Tatis-Soto-Machado 2-3-4? Would they split Tatis and Soto again, putting Machado second? Would they consider putting either Ha-Seong Kim or Jake Cronenworth in the leadoff spot, even when Machado returns?

All viable options. Stay tuned.

2. What about Odor? And Dixon?

It seemed unlikely at the time. But Brandon Dixon and Rougned Odor have very capably filled in for Machado.

Odor has been a revelation. He has a .953 OPS since the day after Machado’s injury and has become one of the team’s most reliable clutch performers.

Dixon has been wholly serviceable (though it’s hard to find a place for him when Machado returns with a bench that would consist of Nelson Cruz, José Azocar and Odor).

It’s also fair to wonder whether Odor has earned himself extra playing time with his performance. Perhaps he garners at-bats over Matt Carpenter in the DH spot. Or …

3. DH days for ailing stars?

Odor’s versatility is suddenly an asset. He’s spent time at second base, third base and right field already this season.

Remember: Soto sat Sunday with a sore back. Bogaerts has been dealing with a balky wrist. Machado will be returning from an injury of his own.

If the Padres want to keep those stars fresh but also in the lineup, perhaps they’d give them an occasional day at DH. Odor’s skill set -- and that of Cronenworth and Kim – means the Padres would have just about every spot covered.

And, yes, that essentially relegates Carpenter and Cruz to pinch-hit at-bats. But that’s a useful left/right pinch-hitting tandem to have available.