James

Darnell

Darnell was batting just .267/.365/.500 with seven homers at Tucson. He’ll provide some bench depth for manager Bud Black’s club. More importantly, his recall likely means that Carlos Quentin (knee) won’t be activated this weekend.

Darnell batted .295/.338/.426 with a home run this spring, but it wasn’t enough to earn a bench spot. He’ll be up at some point, though.

“It’s 100 percent now and feels great,” Darnell said. “I’ve been told it’s actually better than before ... a little stronger than before. It’s stronger in the joint than ever before.” The 25-year-old utilityman batted just .222/.294/.333 in 18 games last season for the big-league Padres, but he had a .953 OPS and 23 home runs in 111 games between Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A Tucson.

It’s the first time he’s done so since landing on the disabled list back in mid-May with a subluxation of his left shoulder. Darnell could make it back sometime next month.

Good news. Darnell will have another MRI in a few weeks to be sure, but it sounds like he’s avoided another major injury. He doesn’t have a timetable to return, however.

Darnell suffered the injury while attempting to make a diving catch. The exact nature of the injury isn’t yet clear, but we’ll pass along an update as soon as it is made available by the team. Chris Denorfia replaced him in left field.

Darnell suffered the injury while attempting to make a diving catch in the sixth inning Thursday. He will be reevaluated Friday, but it’s worth noting that he had surgery last September on the very same shoulder.

Darnell suffered the injury while attempting to make a diving catch during Thursday’s game. For what it’s worth, it’s the very same shoulder which required surgery last September. The timeline for his return isn’t yet known.

Darnell has been sidelined since the middle of this month with a subluxation of his left shoulder and won’t be eligible to return from the 60-day DL until mid-July.

Darnell aggravated a left shoulder injury in May and eventually required arthroscopic surgery in August. Barring any setbacks, the 25-year-old outfielder should be ready for spring training.