Padres INF Jerry Hairston Jr. has strained elbow, could take 2-3 weeks to heal

Padres’ Hairston Jr. has strained elbow

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Padres say infielder Jerry Hairston Jr. has a strained ligament in his right elbow.

The team says Hairston won’t need surgery but it will likely take two to three weeks to heal. Hairston says it hurts to throw but not to hit, so he could be used as a pinch-hitter.

Hairston was a key offseason acquisition. He’s played mostly at shortstop and second base, where he filled in while Everth Cabrera and David Eckstein were hurt, but also at third base and in the outfield.

He’s hitting .249 with 10 home runs and 50 RBIs. The homers tie his career high.