Storm Notebook: Greene back on familiar ground

By: GREG BALL - Staff Writer | Tuesday, May 3, 2005 10:58 PM PDT ∞

LAKE ELSINORE ---- Khalil Greene stopped at first base during batting practice and chatted with Storm first baseman and former Clemson teammate Michael Johnson, and he wore his old No. 6 on his back.

There was plenty that was familiar at The Diamond for Greene, the Padres shortstop who returned Tuesday to Lake Elsinore for the second time since playing 46 games with the Storm during his first professional season in 2002.

"It's a totally different feel being here," Greene said. "The first time I was here was basically the first taste of pro ball I had."

Tuesday, the now proven major-leaguer's focus was not on moving up, but on returning from a broken right ring finger that has kept him out of the Padres lineup since April 17.

In the first game of what is expected to be a four-game rehabilitation assignment, Greene played five innings, going 0-for-2 and reaching base once when he was hit on the right foot in his first plate appearance.

He is expected to play seven innings today, and after an off day Thursday, play nine Friday and Saturday.

"I felt good," reported Greene, who said earlier in the day he was close to 100 percent. "Every at-bat, I felt more and more comfortable. It was a chance to get my timing down by seeing some pitches and get a feel for being in the field."

Greene missed the final three weeks of last season after breaking his right index finger, and played just 10 games before being injured this year. He's itching to rejoin the Padres, who have missed the 2004 NL Rookie of the Year runner-up's bat and his steady defense while getting off to sub-.500 start.

"It's out of my hands, but I'd love to play here a couple games and meet the team in St. Louis (on Thursday)," said Greene, who is more likely to join the Padres on Monday in Cincinnati.

"It's more just knowing that your team is playing and you might be able to help them. Now that I feel capable, I'd like to be able to do so, but I know how it goes and that I have to work my way back into it."

Storm watch

Outfielder Steve Baker could return to the lineup as soon as today. Baker, out since straining the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee while sliding April 21, ran and did some sliding in the outfield Tuesday. If he gets clearance from a team doctor, he'll return today. If not, he'll return Friday. "I feel a lot better," Baker said. "I'm ready to go." ... CF Drew Macias was OK after being hit in the knee with a pitch Monday. .... Both Khalil Greene and manager Rick Renteria wore No. 6. Renteria wears the number regularly, and Greene wore it with the Storm in 2002.