Quentin progressing, takes BP on field

SAN DIEGO -- After hitting inside the indoor cage at Petco Park the past five days, Padres outfielder Carlos Quentin stepped out into the late-afternoon sun Monday and took batting practice.

"It's a good first step for him," said Padres manager Bud Black. "When this happens, then it's a good sign for Carlos and the club."

Quentin has been on the disabled list since March 29, retroactive to March 25. He suffered a bone bruise to his left knee making a sliding catch in the outfielder in a Spring Training game on March 16.

Quentin had only been able to hit indoors until Monday, when he took batting practice with the rest of his teammates before the Padres faced the Rockies in the opener of a four-game series.

Black isn't quite to the point where he's ready to set a date for Quentin's Minor League rehabilitation stint, as Quentin will still need to run on the knee and increase the intensity of his workouts so he can show the club he's ready to take the next step toward rejoining the team.

The Padres' Class A California League affiliate, the Lake Elsinore Storm, are about one hour north of downtown San Diego. The team is home Thursday through Sunday, though that might be too soon for Quentin to start a rehab assignment.

"He's got to go play, he's got to get back in game shape," Black said. "He still has to pass these tests and get back on the field."

That will include having Quentin playing in the field during his rehab stint.

"There's a stamina component there, it's a 2 1/2 hours, three hours concentration component … you can't step out of the training room and just go into a big league game," Black said.

With Quentin out, the Padres have given 10 starts to Seth Smith in left field and three to Tommy Medica.