Recovering Hamilton ready to start throwing

CHICAGO -- Injured Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton was slated to take the next step Wednesday in his recovery from a sprained capsule in his right shoulder. Hamilton is back in Cincinnati rehabilitating.

"Today would be his first day of throwing," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "It's a right shoulder injury, so staying away from doing any throwing was part of the recovery stuff. Right now, from my last report yesterday, he's pain-free in all of his activity. I'm hoping for a good report when he gets done playing catch today. Hopefully we can initiate swinging the bat."

Hamilton went on the 15-day disabled list Aug. 19 after he was hurt the previous day while attempting a diving catch vs. the Royals. He is eligible to be activated for Friday's game, but that isn't expected.

The club would prefer to have Hamilton go on a Minor League rehab assignment for a few games before he returns. Most of the Reds' Minor League affiliates end their season on Monday.

"Right now, the challenge is these Minor League seasons are ending," Price said. "Unless he has a real quick recovery here, and reintroduction to baseball activity, we'll run out of games for him to potentially play in the Minor Leagues."

Hamilton is batting .226/.272/.290 this season, with a league-leading 54 stolen bases in 107 games.