Venable back in starting lineup

MILWAUKEE -- Will Venable played for the Padres on Saturday for the first time since he strained his right oblique Sunday against the D-backs. The outfielder started in right and led off for the Friars.

"We gave him the allotted time needed to recover from the side injury," manager Bud Black said. "He feels good. He's confident where the side is. He's ready to go with no apprehension, so it's good to get Will back."

Venable owns a .268 average on the year with 12 RBIs and four homers. He had turned it up shortly before the injury, though, batting .307 with a .613 slugging percentage in his last 23 games.

On Friday, Venable took batting practice and treated the afternoon like a regular game day. After making it through that without any issues, he told the staff he was ready to go and found out he was starting when he saw the lineup for Saturday's game.

"Everything went well [Friday]," Venable said. "I felt good and responded well this morning. I felt better than I did the day before, even after all that stuff, so it's time to get back out there."