Outfielder Eric Byrnes and left-hander Doug Davis are closer to returning to the field after injuries old and new.
Byrnes, returning from a tear in his left hamstring that sidelined him for the second half of 2008, ran the bases at very nearly full speed at the minor league complex on March 13, and he was close to getting into a minor league game. If all goes well, Byrnes could get into his first Cactus League game early in the week of March 16-22, manager Bob Melvin said.
Byrnes enters spring training as the fourth outfielder, having lost his job in left field to Conor Jackson, who shifted to the outfield from first base when Byrnes went out last July.
Davis threw a bullpen session March 13, a first since he experienced pain in his left triceps prior to a scheduled start the previous weekend. Davis threw all of his pitches March 13 and seemed to be fine, according to Melvin.
Davis, who had a cancerous thyroid removed last April and revealed earlier this spring that he has battled nerve issues in his left arm for the last five seasons, is tentatively scheduled to make his second spring start March 18 against Milwaukee.
With the extra week of spring training, Melvin said he believes Davis will have no trouble getting ready for the regular season. Davis is expected to be the No. 3 starter in the rotation, behind Brandon Webb and Dan Haren.
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