Short hops

• Infielder/outfielder James Darnell was granted his unconditional release on Friday. The Padres sought release waivers on him Wednesday. Darnell, who hit .226 in 62 at-bats with the Padres from 2011-12, was seeking a medical opinion on the left shoulder that he injured in a Minor League game with Triple-A Tucson earlier this season. The team could still re-sign him to a Minor League contract.

• Left fielder Carlos Quentin missed his seventh consecutive start Friday with a sore left shoulder. Quentin did hit on the field during batting practice before the game, the first time he's done so since he suffered the injury exactly a week ago. There's no timetable as to when he could return to the starting lineup.

• Second baseman Jedd Gyorko's right groin strain is close to fully healed. He's taken part in on-field drills before games, including running. He's hit during batting practice in the cage and could go on a Minor League rehab assignment as soon as Saturday. He's eligible to be reinstated from the disabled list on Tuesday.