Gyorko continues making progress toward return

SAN FRANCISCO -- Rookie second baseman Jedd Gyorko has spent the last two days here walking around the clubhouse, conducting an audible countdown as to when he can come off the disabled list.

"Six days," Gyorko muttered several times on Tuesday.

Gyorko, on the disabled list with a right groin strain, is eligible to come off the disabled list on June 25. Gyorko has been with the Padres during this three-game road trip to AT&T Park and had a productive day on Tuesday.

"He's doing well," said Padres manager Bud Black. "He had a good day yesterday."

Gyorko, who continues to get treatment on the groin before games, did all of his work Tuesday before the Padres faced the Giants.

"I hit on the field, took ground balls right at me. It feels good. The training staff has done a great job. It's feeling a lot better than it did the first four or five days," Gyorko said.

"I turned some double plays, which was good. I took balls further to my left and right. I did some light sprint work in the outfield. It was good to pass that test. Hopefully I'll keep progressing."

Gyorko had a lighter workout Wednesday but Black said he would "ramp up" his activities on Thursday when the team returns to Petco Park to open a four-game series against the Dodgers.

There will likely be a Minor League rehabilitation stint in Gyorko's future, though Black indicated there wasn't a guarantee of one and, if there was one, it might not last long.

At the time of the injury, Gyorko was hitting .284 with eight home runs and 25 RBIs. He was hitting .325 in June after hitting .303 in May with six of his eight home runs.

At this point, Gyorko is beyond anxious to return.

"I don't see any reason why I can't come back and pick up right where I left off. It might be tough to get that timing back right away, but hopefully that doesn't take too long," he said.