Williams began his rehabilitation assignment by not allowing a hit in three innings of a Class A game Wednesday and is on target to rejoin the Padres by July 1. The right-hander, who has been on the disabled list since May 13 because of a strained left calf, struck out five and walked one for Lake Elsinore against Rancho Cucamonga. "He said the calf felt good. There's a little stiffness in the elbow," Padres manager Bruce Bochy said Thursday.
(Updated 6/22/2006)

Analysis: Williams was 3-1 with a 3.27 ERA in eight games (seven starts) before he got hurt running the bases during a game against the Chicago Cubs on May 12.