Furcal, Lucas staying active while on DL

MIAMI -- When the Marlins are on the field going through pregame drills, Rafael Furcal is getting some work done.

On the disabled list with a strained left hamstring, Furcal is taking batting practice, and fielding grounders at second base.

It's still unclear when he will be back in game action. But before the end of the weekend, the team should have a more defined plan.

"He's hitting with the guys, and running a little bit," manager Mike Redmond said. "In the next couple of days we'll get with him and get a game plan."

The Marlins wrap up their homestand Sunday and are off Monday before they open at Washington on Tuesday.

Furcal will remain in South Florida getting his treatment. When he is ready for more advanced baseball drills, he will head to the Roger Dean Stadium complex in Jupiter and work with the Minor Leaguers.

Before being reinstated, he will play in rehab assignment games.

Infielder Ed Lucas had the protective cast removed from his left hand, and he is doing limited baseball activities.

Lucas suffered a broken left hand after being hit by a pitch at the end of Spring Training. He had surgery to insert a pin in his hand to help the bone heal straight.

Lucas is doing conditioning and keeping his arm loose by throwing. However, he isn't hitting or catching with a glove.

Lucas is expected to miss four to six weeks.

"It's nice that he's going to be able to keep his legs in shape, and keep his arm in shape, and run around a little bit," Redmond said. "It's just a matter of when that day comes and he can swing the bat again."