Globe iconLogin iconRecap iconSearch iconTickets icon

Quentin back after missing week with sore shoulder

SAN DIEGO -- Carlos Quentin returned to the Padres' lineup on Saturday, hitting fourth and playing left field for the first time in a week.

Quentin had missed seven games with a sore left shoulder. Padres manager Bud Black said Quentin was ready and felt fine after hitting on the field during batting practice before Friday's game for the first time and then did the same on Saturday.

Quentin had been on a roll before injuring himself on a follow-through of a swing last week. In his previous 10 games, he was hitting .371 with two home runs and five RBIs.

The outfielder's return comes against the Dodgers and starting pitcher Zach Greinke. The two were involved in a benches-clearing incident on April 11 that resulted in an eight-game suspension for Quentin and a stint on the disabled list for Greinke.

"I'd be shocked if Zack hit him on purpose," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly told reporters on Saturday. "We're not in a position to do that kind of stuff."

Jamal Collier is an associate reporter for MLB.com.
Read More: San Diego Padres, Carlos Quentin