Matt Williams rejoins Padres after colon cancer surgery

Padres third-base coach Matt Williams returned to Petco Park on Thursday, and the wide smile on his face was evident.

"I've been anxious to get back,'' he said.

Williams, 57, underwent colon cancer surgery on March 31, one day after the Friars opened the season. He was diagnosed with the disease in early March, and the news of him needing time away from the team came just before the season started.

Before Thursday, the last time Williams was with the club was when he was introduced during the Opening Day ceremonies.

"The update is that the surgery went really well,'' said Williams, a five-time All-Star when he was among the game's top third basemen in the 1990s.

Williams said he still has to undergo treatments and that he has yet to be cleared to return to his third-base coaching duties or smacking fungos to infielders.

The latter was among the first things he mentioned when coming out of surgery. While still groggy from the operation, Williams asked what time batting practice started because he had to get to the park to hit first baseman Jake Cronenworth grounders.

"I don't know why I said that,'' Williams said. "And Cronenworth is the last person that needs grounders. My family has a video of me saying that, so I'll never live that down.''

Williams is hoping in two weeks he'll get the OK to travel with the Padres on road trips.

But for now, he's in uniform and taking it easy.

"I'll be in the dugout for this homestand,'' he said. "And I'll be here for as long as they'll let me, as long as I don't bother anybody.''

Mike Shildt, an advisor with the team, will continue to coach third in Williams' absence.

"You don't realize how much you miss it,'' Williams said. "I've been doing this my whole life, so when you can't do it, it's difficult. So I want to be able to do what I can and lend a hand in this interim period."