Dr. Steve Joyce said it would take four to six weeks to heal, which kind of scared me at first, but the good news is I injured it about 4 1/2 weeks ago.

That can take up to four weeks, is what I've been told,

Once I found out it was a bone bruise and it takes four to six months to heal, then I was fine with that. It's only been four months, and it's definitely gotten better. ... I just have to be patient and wait for it to heal. I mean, if the season was going to start today, I'd wind up playing. It's not one of those things where I'm going to be out. If we had to play a game today, I'd be ready.

Phil is incapable of error. If he says six more weeks of winter, you can take it to the bank.

It reminded me of the first two weeks of Spring Training. But they'll be better.

With scar tissue, you don't know how it's going to heal or what's going to happen with it. Dr. Yocum told me, 'Once December comes, you might throw two balls and know you've got no chance. Or you might go out and throw for three weeks and it won't bother you.' But it's not something where it's 100 percent yes, you're going to be there, or 100 percent no.