Guyer encouraged by X-ray results on thumb

ST. PETERSBURG -- Rays outfielder Brandon Guyer, who is on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured left thumb, got his cast off on Monday. He had his thumb X-rayed again, and it did not show a fracture.

"I kind of assumed when they re-X-rayed it, it would still show the fracture on the X-ray, but that it would be something I could work through," Guyer said. "The fact that it didn't show that was a great surprise."

Guyer, who also broke a finger last year with Triple-A Durham, said his thumb was stiff from being in a cast for two weeks, but he felt a lot better than he thought he would.

"I guess I didn't even think I'd be able to move it like I am right now, or that the first day out of the cast I'd be able to do tee work, so the fact that I was able to do that was a good positive," Guyer said.

Guyer hit off a tee Monday, and he also caught with a glove for the first time. He said he plans to do front-toss hitting on Tuesday, with coach-pitch batting practice likely to follow on Wednesday.

Guyer said he does not have a timetable for his return to game action, saying only that he hoped his original goal of mid-June was still realistic and that a couple of rehab outings would be enough to get his timing back down.

For now, Guyer has medical tape to wear on his thumb when he plays or does drills, and a splint to wear when he sleeps.

"[Guyer's] finger seems to be healing well," manager Joe Maddon said. "[Head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield] was very encouraged by what they saw on the X-ray, whatever they took today, and that he can be doing some active stuff by this weekend."