Short hops

• Outfielder Kyle Blanks, who has missed the last 41 games with a left Achilles injury, could rejoin the Padres for Sunday's series finale against the Dodgers. Blanks is 1-for-8 on his rehab assignment going into Friday's game with Triple-A Tucson. There was an initial thought that he could get more at-bats if he needed them with Double-A San Antonio or Class A Fort Wayne -- both have which have qualified for the playoffs -- but it now appears he'll head to Los Angeles Sunday or San Diego on Monday, when the team returns to Petco Park to face the Giants.