Norichika Aoki is close to making his return from a fractured fibula he suffered a month ago, the San Francisco Giants' leadoff man said Saturday.
Aoki will travel to San Diego for a three-game series against the Padres starting Monday, but hopes to make an appearance in the minors during the road trip.
"I'll go to San Diego, but if it works out, I'll try to squeeze in a minor league game somewhere," Aoki said at Chase Field in Phoenix, where the Giants beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-4.
Manager Bruce Bochy said test results from an exam Saturday showed Aoki is "80 percent" healed.
Aoki ran sprints in the outfield before the game and even took batting practice.
"I feel like I'm good to go now," he said.