San Diego Padres Notebook from DC

WASHINGTON DC: Henry Blanco is getting ready to come off of the disabled list and will probably be sent out on a rehab assignment while the Padres are in Cincinnati, the series after DC, possibly to San Antonio, where Padres' manager Bud Black said half in jest, “he's a legend”.

Black does not expect David Eckstein to come off of the disabled list for the series. Black remarked that he believed that Eckstein could help get the team back on the right track because he does so many things well on both offense and defense.

Eckstein took BP on Friday and Saturday and was running out ground balls full tilt.

There has been no change in the status of pitcher Chris Young, although Nick Hundley is getting closer and catching pitchers off flat ground.

Black said that he expects to see Kyle Blanks get some time at first base in addition to regular time in both right and left field for the rest of the year. He hinted we may see Blanks at first base on Sunday.

Black stated that he is unsure if Adrian Gonzalez would play on Sunday but is aware that he has a chance to break Steve Garvey's streak for all time games played for the team. Black said the streak proves something to not only Gonzalez' desire but also about a players ability to perform on a consistent basis, which is very difficult to do on the major league level.

Cha Seung Baek should be back with the Padres in September, but it is unlikely that it will happen before that time.