Quentin should avoid DL with tweaked groin

SAN DIEGO -- Though he was activated from the disabled list last week in Cincinnati, Carlos Quentin still has not been in a starting lineup for the Padres at home all season.

That record was kept intact in Tuesday's series opener against the Twins after Quentin tweaked his right groin in Colorado over the weekend.

For now, the Padres think their injury-plagued slugger will be able to avoid a trip to the disabled list.

"We're trying to keep him off of the disabled list," manager Bud Black said. "Hopefully, this is just a couple of days off from starting.

"Maybe use him in a pinch-hitting role for the next few days."

Black indicated that Quentin would not be available at all in Tuesday night's game against the Twins, but that he expected that to change Wednesday.