SAN DIEGO -- Nori Aoki could be in San Francisco for Friday's game with the Oakland A's. Jean Machi certainly won't be.
Machi was designated for assignment Monday to clear a roster spot for Tim Hudson, who returned from the DL to start the first game of a three-game set with the Padres. The news was much better for Aoki, who ran the bases in the afternoon to test his fractured right fibula and then got clearance to begin a rehab assignment. Aoki will play five innings for Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday and seven on Wednesday, and if all goes well the Giants could have their leadoff hitter back on Friday.