Castellanos improving, but return a ways off

DETROIT — Nick Castellanos’ injured left hand is progressing, according to tests, but the Tigers’ third baseman remains a ways off from being able to swing a bat, let alone return to game action.

Castellanos, who went on the 15-day disabled list Aug. 7 with a fracture of his fifth metacarpal of his left hand, underwent an X-rays Friday to check the progress. While there’s healing, there’s not enough for him to be cleared to grab a bat and do anything hitting-wise. Nor is he in shape to take ground balls.

So for now, Castellanos continues to do cardio workouts and other activity to keep the rest of his body in shape to pick up workouts quickly once he’s cleared for more baseball work.

“I think at this point it’s what he can tolerate,” manager Brad Ausmus said Saturday. “I can’t give you a long-term projection.”

When Castellanos suffered the injury on a hit-by-pitch, the Tigers announced he’d be out at least four weeks. General manager Al Avila said earlier this week they’re expecting a longer time frame now. Sunday marks the two-week point since Castellanos went on the DL.

“Four [weeks] is probably too short,” Avila said, “and we’re hoping seven [weeks] is too much.”

That would put a Castellanos …

continue reading in source mlb.mlb.com