Padres avoided arbitration with OF/1B Kyle Blanks by agreeing to a one-year, $987,500 contract. It was Blanks' second year of arbitration eligibility. The injury-prone 27-year-old hit .243/.305/.379 with eight homers for the Padres in 2014 and made yet another lengthy trip to the DL. He'll back up at first base and the corner outfield spots in 2014.

Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune believes that the Padres could look to deal a reserve outfielder at the winter meetings, either Kyle Blanks or Jesus Guzman, for bullpen help. Center notes that the Padres have nine players on the 40-man roster with major league experience in the outfield, but the team is woefully short on bullpen pieces. The 27-year-old slugger could be an attractive trade chip due to his massive power. Blanks slashed .243/.305/.379 with eight homers and 35 RBI in 88 contests during an injury-plagued 2013 season.

Kyle Blanks is not in the Padres' lineup Thursday due to nagging Achilles and shoulder discomfort. Blanks has been hampered by bother injuries over the last couple months. "Kyle is a little banged up but he's able to play," manager Bud Black said. "I just thought today would be a good day for him to watch this one from the start and see where it ends up. There is a good chance he might be in there at some point in this game."

Kyle Blanks left Tuesday's game against the Pirates due to illness. Blanks went 0-for-2 with a walk before exiting. There's a good chance he'll be back Wednesday.

Padres activated OF Kyle Blanks from the 15-day disabled list. Blanks missed seven weeks with an Achilles injury. The 26-year-old has good power and could be of use in deeper mixed leagues down the stretch if he can stay healthy.

Kyle Blanks (heel) could rejoin the Padres on Saturday. Blanks hasn't had any setbacks during his rehab assignment and could be activated a day earlier than expected. He has been out since July 12 due to an Achilles injury and is batting .256/.318/.425 with eight home runs and 34 RBI over 219 at-bats.

Kyle Blanks (heel) could return to the Padres when rosters expand on Sunday. Blanks has been playing in the outfield without issue during his minor league rehab assignment, and would bring a nice power option back to the Padres bench. He had clobbered eight homers and plated 34 runs in 219 at-bats before hitting the disabled list on July 12.

Kyle Blanks (heel) will play the outfield in a rehab game Monday night at Triple-A Tucson. Blanks was limited to DH duties in his rehab debut but feels well enough now to take the next step. He should rejoin the Padres when rosters expand in September and may hold NL-only fantasy value down the stretch.

Kyle Blanks (Achilles) is set to begin a minor league rehab assignment on Saturday. It still hasn't been decided whether that will be with Single-A Lake Elsinore or Triple-A Tuscon. The length of his rehab assignment has yet to be determined, but he isn't expected to return to the Padres until early September.

Kyle Blanks (Achilles) is likely to begin a rehab assignment early next week. It's possible he'll begin one over the weekend, but early next week is more likely. Blanks tested out his Achilles on Monday and experienced only minimal soreness. "The test isn't necessarily the day of, but it's the day after and the days following," Blanks said Tuesday. "Today I feel fine. I'm ready to get going again."