Headley better, could return Wednesday

SAN DIEGO -- Chase Headley's sore lower back continues to plague the third baseman, keeping him out of his fifth straight game Monday. But manager Bud Black said Headley is improving.

"Chase is doing better," Black said prior to Monday's series opener against San Francisco. "He's going to take some swings in the cage. Marked improvement since [Sunday], but no timetable. Let's hope that Wednesday might be a good day. We are encouraged by how he's feeling."

Black also said that Headley will likely need Tuesday to run through a full workout and test his back, including taking ground balls and doing some running. Following that, the determination will be made as to whether he can play Wednesday.

Headley has been held out since Tuesday when he exited the game in Arizona with a stiff back in the fifth inning. He also missed 14 games at the start of the season with a thumb injury.

Logan Forsythe started at third base Monday.