Hill's progress slow, but sure
By MIKE RUTSEY, QMI Agency
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DUNEDIN, Fla. — Not all the news this day was doom and gloom as second baseman Aaron Hill went through his running and hitting drills without a hitch and is ready to take the next step which is an appearance Wednesday in a minor-league game.
Hill, who has been bothered by a right quad injury, has yet to appear in a regular spring training game this spring.
“It was good, I made a big stride out there today just doing some pickup sprints,” Hill said. “They say to take a guarded approach I guess but we’re still going to play out everything. If it feels this way today, tomorrow we’ll go out and get some bats in the minors leagues. They don’t want me busting out of the box but I’ll see some pitching and take it slow I guess.”
The next big test comes when he breaks full tilt out of the box but that won’t be for a while.
“Out of the box, the first couple of steps will be more of a test,” he said. “Jogging isn’t an issue, it’s the short bursts. It’s something that I’ll gradually get into.”
If everything goes fine in his minor-league game as the DH, Hill expects to start playing in regular spring training games.
With two weeks of games left, Hill believes that will give him more than enough time to get ready for Opening Day.
