Myers (wrist) heads out on rehab assignment

CINCINNATI -- Hours before an official pitch was thrown at Great American Ball Park on Saturday, Padres outfielder Wil Myers dispensed with a few unofficial ones, hitting a handful of batting-practicing fastballs against the plastic red seats.

It was Myers' final tune-up before the Padres sent him to Las Vegas for a Minor League rehabilitation assignment with the team's Triple-A affiliate, the El Paso Chihuahuas. After 30 or so minutes of swings, manager Bud Black decided that Myers' swing had plenty of bite to it, so Myers headed to the airport where he boarded a flight to Las Vegas.

Myers will play in the first of three successive games for the Chihuahuas on Sunday, Black said. The team is off on Wednesday, at which point "we'll re-evaluate his status," Black said.

Unlike other rehabilitation stints, where players are gradually spoon fed playing time -- maybe they'll play in the field one day, serve as the designated hitter the next -- that won't be the case with Myers, Black said.

"Right now, we're having him play the whole game," Black said.

Not just that, but Black said that Myers will play center field and first base. Black planned to talk with El Paso manager Pat Murphy at some point about defensive usage.

Myers, who's been on the disabled list since May 11 with tendinitis in his left wrist, began the season as the team's center fielder but shifted to first base last month when Yonder Alonso landed on the DL. Black said that Myers' main concern with his wrist isn't swinging the bat, but in regards to sliding.

"The thing he's worried the most about is sliding. That's where he injured himself," said Black, noting that Myers will wear a wrist guard and has even practiced sliding with his arms up in the air.

Myers injured the wrist in a game in Arizona on May 9 while trying to brace himself against the infield dirt.