Blanks getting closer to returning to Padres

SAN DIEGO -- When Padres first baseman/outfielder Kyle Blanks landed on the disabled list on July 12 with tendinitis in his left Achilles, he never envisioned the injury would linger this long.

More than a month later, Blanks feels like he's making inroads toward getting back on the field again.

"I just want to be healthy, contribute and play again," Blanks said Friday.

Blanks ran on a treadmill for the second time in as many days and also shagged fly balls in the outfield before the game against the Mets, though only at "probably 40 percent," he said.

Blanks, who was hitting .256 with eight home runs and 34 RBIs in 219 at-bats, hasn't played in a game since July 11. He's not sure when he'll be able to come back. The Minor League regular season for the Padres' affiliates ends the first week of September.

For now, though, his only concern is his health.

"It felt pretty good yesterday, and that's a good sign," Blanks said. "It was a step in the right direction. If this pace keeps up, hopefully it's [return] sooner than later."