Church In the Cage

Church Takes BP

MIAMI -- The prognosis out of Ryan Church's camp has been the same for quite some time: he's fine. But until Tuesday, there was no tangible evidence to that end. Saying he's fine is one thing. Swinging a bat is something entirely different.


Church did precisely that on Tuesday, taking his hacks in an indoor batting cage at Dolphin Stadium and calling it nothing short of "a good day."


"It's not something that's way away," Church said of his return. "Now we're in that last sprint. So hopefully in the next couple of days we'll see how it goes."


Church, who is currently on his second stint on the disabled list with post-concussion syndrome, was cleared to hit Tuesday only after passing every other test thrown his way. He had not swung a bat since July 13, making this his biggest hurdle in some time.


Still, even with Church's optimism -- "I'm batting 1.000," he cracked -- the Mets will not rush him back into game shape this time around. Any relapse could have dangerous implications on his career, which is a risk that the Mets would rather not stomach.


"His situation is somewhat of a mystery to us in baseball right now," manager Jerry Manuel said. "So I don't know if we can fully be as optimistic about it with the history that has gone on with him. I think we would have to proceed with that in mind."


The tentative plan is to have Church hit again on Wednesday -- outdoors this time, if the weather holds -- and mix in other baseball activities, before heading on a Minor League rehab assignment for roughly a week's worth of games. If all remains well, then Church could potentially rejoin the Mets at some point during next week's homestand.
Anthony DiComo is a reporter for MLB.com