The San Diego Padres have been without Gavin Sheets all September, as he's dealing with a sprain and plantar plate tear in his left foot. However, he's been making progress and appears to be on pace to return, assuming the club reaches the playoffs. If that is the case, new reports indicate that manager Craig Stammen will change Sheets' role for the postseason.

In his latest injury update on MLB.com, it's said that the Padres want to make the 30-year-old a designated hitter or pinch hitter once he's healthy. Sheets is currently at the team's complex in Arizona and has been participating in live at-bats and running. San Diego expects him to return at some point in late September.

“Has rejoined the Padres after extensive live at-bats and running at the team's complex in Arizona,” the report said. “Could be activated before end of season, but would return only as a DH/pinch-hitting option.”

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The six-year veteran has played numerous games at first base and in the outfield for the Padres this year. He's also stepped in as the designated hitter for 30 games. So, it's not a role Sheets is unfamiliar with. Sheets hasn't been the most consistent at the plate, however, as he owns a .211 batting average and .313 OBP this year with 75 hits, 16 home runs, and 46 RBIs through 356 at-bats.

San Diego has just six games remaining on the schedule and is closing on a playoff berth. The Padres will take the field again on Tuesday for the first matchup of a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team will then wrap up the regular season with its final three-game series before the playoffs against the Arizona Diamondbacks.