Headley to make spring debut in Minors game

PEORIA, Ariz. -- For the first time this spring, third baseman Chase Headley will take part in a game on Wednesday.

Headley, who strained his right calf on Feb. 22, doesn't care that the game is a Minor League game, while the rest of his teammates enjoy their only day off of the spring.

Headley just wants to play.

"It's just being back with your teammates again ... you see them working out there every day and you want to feel like you're a part of that," Headley said. "When you're not playing, it's hard to feel like you're part of the team."

Headley said he hopes to bat upwards of six times in the Minor League game in Peoria, which is free to the public and begins at 1 p.m. PT.

"I'm going to try and get in a fairly decent workload over there," Headley said.

If all goes well on Wednesday, Headley could make his Cactus League debut against the Giants at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday.

Headley sustained the injury during an infield drill last month. He and the team have taken the cautious route, not rushing him back. Headley has previously stated he only needs 15 to 20 at-bats from each side of the plate before he's ready for the first game of the season on March 30 against the Dodgers.

"He feels ready for this," said Padres manager Bud Black. "He's ready to go, he's anxious."