Myers makes noteworthy step in recovery

SAN DIEGO -- How's this for a welcome sight at Petco Park: Wil Myers was back on the field on Tuesday afternoon.
Granted, Myers was only going through running drills, before eventually throwing for the first time since he strained his left oblique a month ago. But, it's still a noteworthy step in his recovery.
"Everything was great," Myers said. "I'm starting the rehab on schedule. Everything's on track right now."
There's still no timetable for Myers' potential return, though he's expected back at some point in June. He hasn't begun taking swings yet -- a step that's at least a few days away.
Myers' absence has left a gaping hole in the middle of the Padres' order. He was hitting .300 with a .750 OPS at the time of the injury. He had also missed time earlier in the season with back tightness and nerve irritation in his right arm.
Myers' recovery has been a methodical one. After exiting a game against the Mets on April 28, he didn't go through any baseball activity for a month until Tuesday. In the Padres' eyes, it's simply not worth rushing him back, given the injuries he's already sustained this season.
"We're taking it slow, day by day, because we don't want any setbacks at this point," Myers said.
Hughes arrives
Righty reliever Phil Hughes was formally activated ahead of Tuesday's game against Miami. In a corresponding move, the club optioned lefty Tyler Webb to Triple-A El Paso, while fellow southpaw Kyle McGrath was designated for assignment to clear space on the 40-man roster.
The Padres completed their trade for Hughes on Sunday, acquiring Hughes, a Draft pick and cash for Minor League catcher Janigson Villalobos. Hughes had posted a 6.75 ERA in seven appearances for the Twins this season.
"I got to a situation in Minnesota where I wasn't getting a lot of chances to get into games," Hughes said. "It was a numbers game over there. Being out here, hopefully I'll have a chance to pitch more often and hopefully contribute and be a veteran presence to a bullpen that really has a lot of potential. I'm looking forward to it."

Like Tyson Ross and Clayton Richard, Hughes is on a short list of pitchers to return to the mound after having surgery to address thoracic outlet syndrome. His came in 2016, and he's got a nice support system in San Diego.
"I feel good now," Hughes said. "Velocity and all that stuff has turned around. Having those guys to lean on in here, too, guys that have gone through it ... it's definitely a good situation for me here."
Hedges headed back to SD
Padres catcher Austin Hedges has been taken off his rehab assignment after a recent flare-up of the elbow soreness that landed him on the disabled list earlier this month.
Hedges, who had played two rehab games with El Paso, will fly back to San Diego and undergo further tests on Wednesday. The initial diagnosis from before his rehab stint revealed no structural damage. The Padres remain cautiously optimistic that Hedges' return isn't too far off.

"You don't want to pull people off a rehab assignment," manager Andy Green said. "You want them to come back and be on the field and be playing. That's why you send them on a rehab assignment. But nobody feels there's anything structurally going on here. It just hasn't resolved itself entirely."
Gwynn Jr., Martin to rep Padres at Draft
Major League Baseball announced the two representatives for each club that will be attending the 2018 Draft on Monday in Secaucus, N.J. For the Padres, former outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr. and area scout John Martin will be on hand.
The 2018 Draft will take place on June 4-6, beginning with the Draft preview show on MLB Network and MLB.com at 3 p.m. PT on Monday, June 4. MLB Network will broadcast the first 43 picks (Round 1 and Competitive Balance Round A), while MLB.com will stream all 78 picks on Day 1. MLB.com will also provide live pick-by-pick coverage of Rounds 3-10 on Day 2, with a preview show beginning at 9:30 a.m. PT. Then, Rounds 11-40 can be heard live on MLB.com on Day 3, beginning at 9 a.m. PT.