Astros shortstop Clint Barmes hit soft-pitches in the batting cage yesterday, and according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, x-rays have shown that his broken left hand is almost completely healed.
“Today was the first time I saw flips,” said Barmes, who took 30-35 swings inside at a damp Citi Field. “I’ve been hitting off a tee. The first time I swung the tee swings it was with a fungo. And there was some soreness I could feel. I could work through it a little bit, but it wasn’t until after giving it the last couple of days that it feels a lot stronger.”
Barmes will be re-evaluated on Friday, and should he pass that check, the Astros would likely send him to play at least three minor league rehabilitation games to get himself in playing shape. That would put him on pace to re-join the Astros some time in the middle of next week.
The Astros will host the Cardinals and Brewers in a homestand starting next week. Angel Sanchez has surprisingly hit well in limited at-bats for Barmes, but has committed six errors in just 17 games.