ST. PETERSBURG -- Logan Forsythe is feeling good and is optimistically looking toward the first week in June for his return to the Rays.
The Rays' second baseman, who sustained a hairline fracture of his left scapula and has been on the disabled list since May 14 (retroactive to May 10), told reporters on Thursday morning that he was feeling "much better."
"Range of motion's back," Forsythe said. "Strength's slowly coming. It's like any bone -- once it heals, strength will be there with it."
On Wednesday, Forsythe took ground balls for the first time and said he "felt pretty good" doing so, though he allowed that he was "kind of slow" coming up with a backhanded attempt.
"Monday will be three weeks, and then I think we'll start venturing into hitting," Forsythe said. "Dry swings and stuff like that. See how it goes. Just progress from there."
When asked about when he might be back with the team, Forsythe said he "would hope for early June."
"That's between three and four weeks ... that's in my mind," Forsythe said. "Once the doctors reevaluate, we'll try and get a better estimate."
Forsythe feels that once healthy, he'll need three rehab games to get ready. He was hitting .308 with nine doubles, four home runs and 12 RBIs in 29 games this season before the injury.
"Honestly, I think three full games would be nice," Forsythe said. "Get one in the field. DH one. Try to go back-to-back early. See how it feels. They have a better understanding of how they want to play it. But I think three or four games. Get about 12 or 15 at-bats.
"... It would be great if I could get back for that homestand. That's what we're pushing for, but we're not going to push too much, because there's no need. Don't want to be out longer."