Chase Headley had a big day at the plate on Sunday, leading the Padres to an 11-7 victory over the Rangers in Cactus League action. Headley went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles, scored twice and drove home three runs in the ballgame. While he was slowed by a calf injury early in camp, it appears that he's now on track to take his place at third base in the Opening Day lineup.

Chase Headley (calf) will play in a minor league game Wednesday before making his Cactus League debut Thursday. Headley has been cleared for game action after hitting live pitching with no issues. It's not clear whether he'll play third base right away or be eased into action in the designated hitter spot. Headley remains hopeful of being ready in time for Opening Day.

Chase Headley (calf) is hoping to make his Cactus League debut on Thursday. Headley faced live pitching over the weekend and felt fine. It's not clear how much, if any, running he's done, so he could be eased into game action in the designated hitter spot. The third baseman remains hopeful of getting ready in time for Opening Day.

Chase Headley (calf) is scheduled to face live pitching on Saturday. Padres manager Bud Black indicated that Headley is still likely a week away from returning to game action. He still has enough time to get himself ready for Opening Day, but any further setbacks would likely lead to opening the season on the disabled list.

Padres manager Bud Black hopes to get Chase Headley (calf) into a game within the next week. Black concedes that there's no hard timetable for Headley's return. The veteran third baseman doesn't seem overly concerned, believing he'll have enough time to take the 15-to-20 at-bats from each side of the dish that he thinks he needs to be ready for Opening Day.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports that the Padres and Chase Headley are unlikely to reach an agreement on a contract extension. The 29-year-old third baseman is set to hit free agency after the 2013 season, and it appears as if he's going to test the market. The Padres made him an offer on a long-term deal at some point over the winter, but reportedly the two sides were so far apart that it didn't warrant further discussion. Motivated by his impending free agency, Headley could be poised for another big year in San Diego in 2014.

According to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, the Padres have told Chase Headley that they plan to extend him a qualifying offer before he hits free agency. This could be a way to get him to think twice about the idea of a contract extension with the Padres, but multiple teams will likely be willing to give up a draft pick if he has a solid walk-year. Headley turns 30 in May.

Chase Headley (calf) hit from both sides of the plate in the batting cage for the second straight day Wednesday. Headley is working his way back from an early camp calf strain. That he felt good enough to hit two consecutive days speaks well of his progress, and the 29-year-old said he'd like to begin running within five days. Barring a setback, Headley should be good to go for Opening Day.

Chase Headley (calf) will hit in a batting cage on Monday in Padres camp. A step in the right direction for Headley, who was diagnosed eight days ago with a mild right calf strain. "As the doctor said, it's as good as we can ask for," the veteran third baseman told reporters on Monday. He expects to be ready for the start of the regular season.

Padres manager Bud Black said Saturday that Chase Headley (calf) is still "a ways away from any productive swinging in the cage." Headley was given with a 2-3 week timetable after being diagnosed with a strained right calf during a workout last Saturday. It appears that he'll be closer to the later end of that estimate, which could put his status for Opening Day in jeopardy.