Gyorko, Smith may be ready to return

SAN FRANCISCO -- Padres manager Bud Black could have some more weapons at his disposal on Wednesday for the series finale in San Francisco.

Second baseman Jedd Gyorko is expected to return from the paternity list after his wife, Karley, gave birth to twin boys on Monday. Gyorko, who was away Monday and Tuesday, is eligible to miss up to three games, but Black will surely be eager to add him back to the fold, even if he is struggling with the bat.

Meanwhile, outfielder Seth Smith is recovering well from a right groin strain he suffered on Thursday in Washington. Smith was out of the starting lineup for the fifth straight game, but took batting practice again on Tuesday and was available to be used as a substitute.

If all goes well, Smith could be inserted back as the starting left fielder by Wednesday.

"That's not out of the question," Black said before Tuesday's matchup. "All that depends on how he does today in the pregame when he ramps up the intensity of his running out here. I'll have a better idea once this game unfolds, how he feels."