SAN DIEGO -- For the first time in what's already become a season riddled with injuries, the Padres' disabled list got shorter Wednesday.
San Diego activated utility infielder Alexi Amarista from the 15-day DL, optioning reliever Tayron Guerrero to Triple-A El Paso.
Amarista, who suffered a right hamstring strain, hasn't played since April 19. He was off to a hot start, going 7-for-21 (.333) in eight games.
Amarista's return is a breath of fresh air for the ballclub. Of the 10 players to hit the disabled list this season, he's the first to come off it -- though Amarista reiterated he did not take any shortcuts in his return, even with the current state of the Padres' infield.
"That's not something I'm ultimately going to decide," Amarista said through a translator. "My recovery time decided that [I was ready]. I was doing the things I needed to do, I was putting in the work that I needed to put in, and luckily it wasn't a very serious injury, so I was able to come back in that timeslot."
The 27-year-old left-handed hitter played in one rehab game for Double-A San Antonio and went 2-for-5. He also played three games at extended spring training.
Amarista is one of four infielders to hit the disabled list already this season. Third baseman Yangervis Solarte, who also suffered a right hamstring strain in April, doesn't appear to be too far behind Amarista. He'll play rehab games for Triple-A El Paso on Thursday and Friday and could be set to return as early as Sunday.
On the other hand, Cory Spangenberg (left quad) and Jemile Weeks (right hamstring) are not currently taking part in baseball activities.
As for Guerrero, he'll return to El Paso, following his big league debut Tuesday. He allowed one run on three hits in two innings during the Padres' 5-1 loss.
Other injury updates
• Manager Andy Green on injured right-hander Tyson Ross, who has been out since Opening Day with a right shoulder strain:
"I've stayed away from a timetable because I don't want to put some sort of constraint on him. It feels like we're failing if we don't hit a certain deadline. I wouldn't say it's impossible to be back by the All-Star break. But I wouldn't want to guarantee it at this point in time either."
• Right-hander Andrew Cashner threw a bullpen session Wednesday and has fully recovered from the right hamstring strain that landed him on the disabled list last week, according to Green. Cashner will be eligible to come off the disabled list Tuesday.
• Weeks' hamstring injury could potentially require surgery, which would rule him out for at least the next six to eight weeks. Green said a cortisone shot and rehab remains an alternative option, and the club will likely decide on a course of action in the near future.
• Catcher Austin Hedges had the cast removed from his left hand and played catch for the first time since undergoing hamate surgery at the end of April. He could begin swinging a bat as soon as next week.
• Center fielder Jon Jay (sore right shoulder) was out of the starting lineup for the third straight game, but he appears to be nearing a return. Jay took batting practice, as well as a few additional swings in the cage.
Said Green: "We were contemplating getting him some tests, and then he woke up this morning and felt a lot better. ... I don't think he's far off. There's a positive turn today."