Solarte could return at shortstop for Padres

SAN DIEGO -- Padres infielder Yangervis Solarte is nearing a return, and there's a possibility it will come at a position he hasn't played since 2014.
Solarte, out since June 20 with a strained left oblique, started a rehab assignment with Triple-A El Paso on Thursday, going 0-for-2 with a walk and playing seven innings at second base. But the Padres have had internal discussions of having Solarte, who has played mostly second and third, play shortstop in his second rehab game.
"We've talked internally about the possibility of a second rehab game, of him playing shortstop, and seeing what he looks like at short," Green said. "[Second baseman] Carlos Asuaje's done a lot to make us want to try to find a way to keep him on the roster and in the game, and Cory Spangenberg's doing a very solid job at third base.
"It'd be an interesting concept to explore with [Solarte]."
Solarte led the team with 40 RBIs at the time of his injury. He hasn't played shortstop since he was a rookie with the Yankees and Padres in 2014. He played 23 2/3 innings at the position over eight games.
Erick Aybar, the Padres' regular shortstop, is possibly done for the season after breaking his foot last week.
Hedges to play in AZL
Green said Wednesday that catcher Austin Hedges likely wouldn't require a rehab assignment before being activated from the seven-day concussion disabled list.
Instead, assuming Hedges feels fine after taking part in batting practice and catching a couple of bullpen sessions, he will catch five-to-seven innings in the Arizona Rookie League on Friday. Hedges, who led National League catchers with 13 home runs at the time of his injury, hasn't played since July 14.

"The way he's wired, if he's not feeling great, he's probably not going to pull himself in a big league game, but he'll pull himself in an AZL game," Green said. "We'll give him one quick look down there to make sure he feels good."
Green added that the hope is to have Hedges take batting practice with the team Saturday before being activated Sunday.
McGrath promoted; Padres set weekend rotation
The call didn't come until about 2:45 a.m., but Kyle McGrath was just happy it came.
McGrath, a left-handed reliever, was promoted from Double-A San Antonio on Thursday, his first Major League promotion. As McGrath got off the team bus Wednesday night, San Antonio manager Phillip Wellman told him to keep his phone close.
"I didn't know if I was [only] going to Triple-A," McGrath said. "Still trying to process all of it. It seems kind of surreal still."
McGrath, who will have his parents and fiancee at Thursday's game, missed most of April and May with an injury in his throwing elbow. He's recovered nicely, posting a 2.66 ERA over 20 games. Green said McGrath could serve as a left-handed specialist, or provide multiple innings of relief.
To make room for McGrath, the Padres moved right-hander Jarred Cosart to the 60-day disabled list and optioned Kyle Lloyd to Triple-A El Paso. Lloyd, a right-handed starter, made his Major League debut Tuesday, but left-hander Travis Wood, acquired in a trade with Kansas City, will join the rotation and start Friday's game against the Pirates. Right-hander Dinelson Lamet and lefty Clayton Richard will start the final two games of the three-game series.