San Diego Padres injury news: Nelson Cruz, Luis Garcia, Seth Lugo

DENVER — Before the San Diego Padres started a three-game series in Denver against the Colorado Rockies, Padres manager Bob Melvin gave an injury update on Nelson Cruz, Luis Garcia and Seth Lugo.

San Diego Padres injury news and updates: Nelson Cruz, Luis Garcia, Seth Lugo

Let's start the injury roundup with Nelson Cruz, who went on the injured list on June 2 (retroactive to June 1) with a right hamstring strain. The 42-year-old Cruz has been playing in Triple-A with the El Paso Chihuahuas and has been showing off his power while rehabbing.

Cruz seems to be on track to rejoin the Padres soon.

"He wants to play every day leading up to when we could potentially activate him, and that would be Tuesday," Melvin said. "He got there (El Paso) right away and played that night. He wants to get some at-bats in."

While Cruz is close to his return, Garcia could be the closest to rejoining the Padres. After playing catch at Coors Field on Friday, Melvin indicated the 36-year-old right-hander could be healed from his left oblique strain and back with the team on Saturday.

"Good chance tomorrow," Melvin said of Garcia when asked for an update.

Garcia has appeared in 21 games this season for the Padres, last throwing 0.2 innings in Washington on May 24. So far this season, he has a 4.66 ERA/2.92 FIP/1.448 WHIP.

Meanwhile, right-hander Seth Lugo faced hitters at San Diego's spring training complex in Arizona and could be nearing his return. The 33-year-old Lugo left his start on May 17 with a strained left calf and hasn't pitched for the Padres since. With that in mind, Lugo could need a rehab start before rejoining the team.

Lugo made eight starts for the Padres before suffering his injury, posting a 4.10 ERA/3.96 FIP/1.368 WHIP in 41.2 innings.