Quentin improves as Padres remain cautious

SAN DIEGO -- The Padres finally got a bit of good news regarding injured left fielder Carlos Quentin on Saturday.

Though Quentin did not go through any running drills on the field, his bum right knee was feeling better after some treatment, manager Bud Black said.

"Because of the marked improvement -- how he's feeling -- we're a little bit more positive than we were a few days ago," Black said.

Earlier this week, Black had put the prospects of a Quentin return this season at 50-50, and Friday he addressed the possibility of offseason surgery -- which would be Quentin's third knee operation in two years.

Even with Saturday's positive turn, the Padres are still exercising caution with Quentin, who leads the club with an .855 OPS and was hitting .275 with 13 homers. He has played in just 82 games this year after playing in 86 in 2012.

"Quentin is doing some work on the treadmill inside," Black said. "He's progressing so well that we want to make sure this track of improvement continues."

In other Padres injury news, center fielder Cameron Maybin will head to Cincinnati to see Dr. Tim Kremchek for a second opinion on the strained PCL in his left knee. Maybin, who has played in just 14 games this year after averaging 142 in the previous two seasons, will most likely be evaluated Tuesday.

Meanwhile, outfielder Kyle Blanks (Achilles tendinitis) is headed to Triple-A Tucson as expected, and he will begin his rehab stint there Sunday. If all goes well, the Padres expect to have Blanks back at the beginning of September.