The Reds have won six of seven without him, but shortstop Alex Gonzalez will return to the lineup Friday when the team opens a three-game series at San Diego.
In Gonzalez's absence, Jerry Hairston filled in splendidly. Hairston is on a nine-game hitting streak, batting .405 (15-for-37) with 14 runs and seven RBIs. "Gonzalez is my shortstop," manager Dusty Baker said. "He has been champing at the bit to play since Monday and I held him off as long as I could to make sure his sore side is better and he doesn't wince when he swings during batting practice. He's ready."
And what happens to Hairston? He will return to a platoon in left field with Laynce Nix and Chris Dickerson, with Hairston playing against left-handed pitchers. All three of the Padres' scheduled starting pitchers are right-handed.
Before injuring his left side May 4, Gonzalez was hitting .176. After missing all of last season with a knee injury, he hadn't regained his wide range at shortstop.
