News
Friars' Eckstein plans to return this weekend
Infielder will not go on rehab assignment before coming off DL
By Corey Brock / MLB.com
07/21/09 10:40 PM ET
SAN DIEGO -- It doesn't appear that Padres second baseman David Eckstein will need a few games in the Minor Leagues to test the right hamstring he strained earlier this month. Eckstein said on Tuesday he will work out with the team before Thursday's game in Philadelphia and that he could potentially be activated from the disabled list for the start of a series in Washington on Friday. Eckstein, on the DL since July 6, worked out before Tuesday's game against the Marlins, taking early batting practice and ground balls in the infield. Eckstein also tested his hamstring by running before the game. "Everything looks good. We're shooting for this weekend," Eckstein said. "Everything is going as planned." Eckstein, who was hitting .267 at the time of the injury, ran on Monday at what manager Bud Black estimated was 75 percent intensity. Going into Tuesday, the Padres were just 2-10 in the games Eckstein had missed. They were no-hit on July 10 against Jonathan Sanchez, and the Padres and have been held to three or fewer runs in eight of 12 games. Despite missing the last 12 games, Eckstein ranks third on the team in hits with 77, trailing only Kevin Kouzmanoff (85) and Adrian Gonzalez (81). The Padres have mostly used Luis Rodriguez at second base with Eckstein on the DL. Rodriguez went into Tuesday's game hitting .200.Corey Brock is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
