Gyorko keeping busy while on disabled list

SAN DIEGO -- There was good news to be had Saturday as rookie second baseman Jedd Gyorko, who is on the disabled list with a strained right groin, had a busy day.

First, Gyorko hit in the cage for the first time since he landed on the disabled list Monday. Then, he briefly took ground balls at second base during batting practice.

"That's a good sign," Padres manager Bud Black said.

Gyorko, who sustained the injury last Sunday in Colorado, continues to get treatment on the groin strain. He is eligible to return June 25.

"It felt good," Gyorko said after hitting. "I'm not really sure what that means, though."

It means, in the short-term, that Gyorko will accompany the team to San Francisco for three games at AT&T Park starting Monday. He is scheduled to hit and take ground balls with an eye on making a Minor League rehabilitation stint shortly thereafter.

The Padres have gotten good production in Gyorko's absence from Logan Forsythe, who had a two-run single in the eighth inning of Friday's 2-1 victory over the D-backs.

On Friday, the team traded for utility infielder Pedro Ciriaco to give them depth and someone who could play shortstop.

Ciriaco got his first start at second base Saturday as Forsythe moved to left field when Carlos Quentin was a late scratch in left field because of discomfort in his left shoulder.