Quentin continues steady recovery from injury

SAN DIEGO -- While Cameron Maybin's return is beginning to creep onto the horizon, and while the Padres' offense works to shake its early-season slump, the club does not expect injured slugger Carlos Quentin back any time soon.

"Carlos is doing a lot of work inside the weight room," Black said. "He's hitting in the cage. He's getting closer to hitting on the field."

The hope is that Quentin moves onto the field to hit during the club's 10-game homestand against the Tigers, Rockies and Giants that opened Friday. But there is no timetable on Quentin's bruised left knee.

Black said that "hopefully within the next week" Quentin will hit on the field. "It's getting there," Black said.

Problem is, there is no treatment to expedite the healing of a bone bruise. So it's essentially a matter of waiting.