Already off to a strong start this season, the San Diego Padres are getting healthier, too.

Baseball’s top bullpen received a boost Wednesday when the Padres (23-12) reinstated Sean Reynolds from the 15-day injured list. Second baseman Jake Cronenworth is expected back Friday — and pitcher Yu Darvish is scheduled to face hitters Thursday for the first time in his recovery from right elbow inflammation.

The welcome news comes after 22-year-old All-Star center fielder Jackson Merrill returned from the injured list Tuesday night and went 2 for 4 with a double in the cleanup spot against New York.

Darvish threw a bullpen Tuesday at the club’s spring training complex in Arizona. The five-time All-Star has been sidelined all season, and it’s still too soon to project a timeline for his return.

“Tomorrow’s a good indicator,” manager Mike Shildt said. “It’ll get more crystal from there.”

Scherzer throws to hitters in recovery

Max Scherzer took what the Toronto Blue Jays hope is a significant step in his return from a right thumb injury on Wednesday when he threw to hitters for the first time since going on the injured list in March.

Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner who signed a one-year, $15.5 million deal with Toronto in February, threw 20 pitches. Barring a setback, Schneider said he will repeat the workout but with more pitches over the weekend.

“It felt good,” Scherzer, 40, said. “I’ve gotten all the inflammation out, so I can finally grip the ball again and not blow out my shoulder. But I’m not celebrating this until I’m back starting in a major league game.”

Scherzer has taken two cortisone injections to relieve inflammation in the thumb this season. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list earlier this week and is not eligible to be activated until May 29.

Briefly

White Sox >> Chicago placed outfielder Andrew Benintendi on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with a left calf strain. Benintendi, 30, missed much of spring training after he broke his right hand when he was hit by a pitch. He made it back in time for opening day but was placed on the 10-day IL on April 9 with a left adductor strain.

Astros >> Houston slugger Yordan Alvarez has a strained muscle at the top of his right hand, a diagnosis that instills optimism he won’t have a prolonged stay on the injured list.

Dodgers >> Injuries to Los Angeles pitchers continued to pile up Wednesday as right-hander Evan Phillips went on the 15-day injured list with right forearm discomfort. Right-hander Matt Sauer was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City. Phillips had just been activated from the injured list on April 19 after missing 21 games with a right rotator cuff strain.

Reds >> Cincinnati placed third baseman Noelvi Marte on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain on Wednesday.

Rockies >> Colorado Rockies designated hitter Kris Bryant is scheduled to undergo a procedure on his balky back Thursday. Bryant’s currently on the injured list with lumbar degenerative disk disease. It’s his ninth stint on the IL since 2022 due to a series of health issues.