The Dodgers inched closer to full strength, activating closer Tanner Scott from the injured list ahead of Friday’s 6:40 p.m. start at Petco Park.

The Padres, however, are still playing the waiting game with center fielder Jackson Merrill, who will miss a fifth straight game with the left ankle injury sustained last week in Los Angeles.

Merrill has not played since he was pulled from Sunday’s game after two strikeouts. He has yet to resume any baseball activity outside of bunting to maintain his timing, but he’s reported enough improvement with how he feels to put off a decision on a move to the 10-day injured list.

Because IL stints can only be backdated three days, that decision would have to be made Friday if the team wanted Merrill back for the start of the Twins series in Minnes

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