Aybar close, Kendrick gaining

Both Erick Aybar and Howie Kendrick tested their bum left hamstrings Thursday and both showed signs of improvement. Aybar is further along, though, and is likely to return by next week's road trip to Oakland and Texas. The trip then heads to Seattle. Kendrick might be back by the Seattle portion of the trip. Scioscia said the players might prep for their returns by playing in simulated games.

In other injury news, Torii Hunter's sore left quad should be healed enough to allow him to return Friday when his two-game suspension ends. He was suspended for pushing Yankees catcher Ivan Rodriguez.

Chone Figgins, who has a sore elbow when he was hit by a pitch this week, should be ready in a couple of days.