Edwin Encarnacion (oblique) is expected to take batting practice Friday, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.

Encarnacion (oblique) is expected to take batting practice Friday, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.

Analysis:

The veteran slugger has been shut down for nearly a week to rest his strained oblique, but it appears he's almost ready to resume hitting. Chisholm notes that Encarnacion will need to string together a few days of batting practice in a row before getting back into exhibition games, so look for a return to the lineup early next week if Encarnacion's BP sessions go well.