BRADENTON, Fla. -- The first week of Spring Training, the Pirates' list of injury updates is short. It's just one name, in fact: Josh Bell.
Bell, two weeks removed from left knee surgery, is making progress in his return to the field. Pittsburgh's first baseman has been throwing, taking "dry" swings and responding well to treatment, head athletic trainer Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday.
"There is a progression. He looks really good," Tomczyk added. "He's closer to swinging full than you think."
When Bell had surgery to remove a loose body Feb. 1, the Pirates estimated it would take two to four weeks before he returned to baseball activities.