SAN DIEGO -- A crowded rotation battle looms for the Padres next spring. They might get an early taste of it down the stretch this season.

Right-handers Garrett Richards and Jacob Nix appear to be nearing the end of their rehab stints and could be activated to join the big league club shortly, manager Andy Green said Friday.

Both Richards and Nix have missed the season while recovering from elbow injuries. Richards underwent Tommy John surgery last July, while Nix suffered a UCL strain during Spring Training and opted for rehab.

It's unclear whether either pitcher will need another rehab start -- but that's partly dependent on how the Padres' Minor League clubs fare in their playoff series.

Richards pitched four scoreless frames for Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore in the California League playoffs on Wednesday. Nix worked five innings of two-run ball for Double-A Amarillo in the postseason on Thursday.

"Encouraging for both those guys," said Green. "They both feel healthy, they both feel ready to go. ... A lot of it is dependent on what happens there, versus what happens here. If [the Minor League teams] win, then we'll continue to look at that as a possibility for those guys. If not, them being activated in the short term is probably not unlikely."

The Padres are content with their current rotation, but it seems likely Chris Paddack will be shut down before the end of the season, which would leave starts available for either Richards or Nix. Paddack?will start against the Cubs next week, Green said,?but the Padres skipper offered no insight into the club's thinking beyond that outing.

The Padres took a chance on Richards, signing him to a two-year deal in the offseason even though he was returning from surgery. The Padres had their sights set on contending in 2020, and Richards had posted a 3.15 ERA in his last five seasons with the Angels.

If he's healthy and back in form, Richards probably has a secure place in the 2020 rotation. Nix, meanwhile, has to earn his way there. The team's No. 28 prospect, Nix posted a 7.02 ERA in his rookie campaign in 2018.

Come next spring, both figure to be part of a crowded group of starters that could stretch into double figures. The club seems likely to add a starter or two during the offseason, and top prospect and MLB Pipeline Pitcher of the Year MacKenzie Gore will get a chance to make his case during Spring Training.

So what would it mean for Richards and/or Nix to get a start or two this fall before the rotation battle heats up next spring.

"It's as much for their peace of mind as anything, and for their competitive spirits," Green said. "They've both fought hard to get back to the point where they could pitch in the big leagues this year.¡±

Cordero likely done for year

Chalk 2019 up as another season lost to injury for Franchy Cordero. The toolsy outfielder will almost certainly miss the remainder of the season with a quad injury after his rehab efforts stalled.

"He's being slowed down right now to hopefully be ramped up in a couple of days," Green said. "But I think we know where the clock is on the season. ¡­ It's ticking."

Cordero played nine games for the Padres this season, going 5-for-15 with four walks before he suffered an elbow sprain in mid-April. He seemed destined to return in June when he sustained a quad injury during a rehab stint.

Martini makes an impression

Cordero's absence left the Padres desperately searching for lefty-hitting outfield help this season. Lately, they've gotten exactly that from Nick Martini. A waiver claim from Oakland, Martini is hitting .316 (6-for-19) through five games with the Padres. He's expected to receive the bulk of the starts against right-handed pitching down the stretch in a pseudo audition for the 2020 club.

It's been a nice match thus far. Martini was a serious on-base threat down the stretch for Oakland last season. He even batted leadoff in the Wild Card Game at Yankee Stadium, an experience he called "incredible." Martini was on the right path with Oakland, before he sustained a torn PCL in his right knee early in Spring Training.

"I don't think in baseball I've ever felt worse," Martini said. "I thought I had a chance to be an outfielder there, or at least some quality playing time. To have that taken away for a couple months, then never have a chance to go back, it was frustrating for sure."

Martini was cut by Oakland last month, and the Padres swooped.

"To be claimed here and get another chance, it's definitely special," Martini said. "I want to make the most of it."

So far, so good. The Padres needed better lineup balance and on-base potential, and Martini is providing that.

"Consistently, he's hit balls hard all over the field," Green said. "He's had really high-quality at-bats up to this point in time, and it's been very encouraging to watch him in the box."