Yangervis Solarte could begin rehab assignment by next week

July 9, 2017 11 AM PT

Philadelphia —

Padres second baseman Yangervis Solarte, sidelined since June 20 because of a left oblique strain, is taking left-handed swings and playing light catch, manager Andy Green said Sunday. The Padres are hopeful Solarte can begin a rehab assignment by the end of this week.

“That’s kind of a wait-and-see at this point in time,” Green said.

Solarte has not yet begun taking swings from the right side.

“Typically with an oblique strain, if you’re a switch-hitter, there’s one side of the plate you’re comfortable swinging from almost immediately, and the other side takes a little bit longer,” Green said.

Solarte was drawing interest from other teams before he suffered his injury. In 71 games this season, he hit .268 with a .349 on-base percentage and 10 home runs.

While going on the disabled list has affected Solarte’s value, the Padres are not in a must-trade position with the versatile infielder. Solarte signed an affordable contract in January, receiving a two-year, $7.5 million deal that includes two team options.

Renfroe out with stiff neck

Right fielder Hunter Renfroe was out of the lineup Sunday, beginning his All-Star break a day early due to neck stiffness. Renfroe exited Saturday’s game after feeling his neck tighten on a swing. He was replaced by Matt Szczur, who started in right field Sunday.

“It’s just one of those things where he took a swing and it kind of grabbed on him, and he’s feeling it today,” Green said.

Asked if Renfroe will be ready when the Padres open the second half Friday, Green said: “Right now, I’d say that’s the expectation, but it’ll be how he responds to this. If it turns out, coming back from the All-Star break, he’s still hurting, we’d probably consider the DL at that point in time. We’re not at that point to even discuss that fully.”

No timetable for Weaver

Jered Weaver made his last major league start May 19, landing on the disabled list the next day with left hip inflammation. He made his first and last rehab start June 22, allowing three runs over as many innings for Triple-A El Paso.

It is unclear if the right-hander will pitch again, at any level.

Green said Weaver has been working on his health in San Diego, adding that the Padres have given the veteran “latitude to explore some things.” There is no timetable for a return, and Green did not have further comment on Weaver.

Weaver, 34, was coming off the worst season of an accomplished career when he signed a one-year, $3 million deal in February. Over nine starts with the Padres, he posted a 7.44 ERA, allowing 16 home runs in 42 1/3 innings.