Andrelton Simmons' recovery from a broken bone in his hand is progressing well and the shortstop could have his cast removed as soon as next week.
"I was hoping for no cast at all," said Simmons, who was X-rayed and fitted for a lighter, more comfortable cast on Friday. "But the doctor said we need one more week to make sure it gets calcified and stuff."
Simmons has been in a cast since suffering the injury and is itching to return to the lineup. Once the cast is removed Simmons will begin rehab exercises before resuming baseball activities. He thinks he will need about a week of that including his rehabilitation trip to the minors but the Braves may opt to not push him that quickly.
Simmons solidified the shortstop position for the Braves defensively after his promotion from the minors and was hitting .296 with three homers and 15 RBIs at the time of the injury.
For more on the Braves check out Talking Chop. For more Major League Baseball news and notes head over to Baseball Nation.