MILWAUKEE -- Considering he could barely walk on crutches just two days ago, Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Carlos Gomez has made tremendous progress in his recovery from a sprained right knee.
Gomez moved around well without the crutches and played catch on the field prior to Sunday's series finale against Cincinnati. The next step is to take dry swings and run in the pool later Sunday before progressing again Monday.
"It's way, way better," Gomez said. "Today I'm going to do more things. We'll see tomorrow. Tomorrow is a big day. We expect to do stuff outside -- running a little bit, hit.
"I feel really good. It's one of those things when we know there's no damage there, we can go more aggressive. It's like when you get hit, it's bruised and painful and the next day you feel worse and in a few days, it's gone just like that. That's why we're going fast."
With the progress he's made in the past 48 hours, Gomez is unlikely to need a trip to the disabled list.
"That's what I'm hopeful of and that's what the trainers are hopeful of," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. "If he keeps progressing the way he is, we'll be OK."
Gomez was injured when he crashed into the wall while catching a fly ball in the fourth inning of Thursday's game against Cincinnati. A serious injury was feared at first, but an MRI exam revealed no structural damage.
While he's moving closer to returning, Gomez doesn't have a specific day in mind.
"I don't know about two days, three days," Gomez said. "If things go the way they're going right now, I expect to play soon. We don't have no date. It depends on how it goes. The way I play, the way I'm running, my speed is the biggest part of my game.
"I don't know. I have no idea what the plan is. The plan is to get better every day, and see when they throw me out there."
The All-Star center fielder is hitting .288 with 18 home runs, 55 RBI and 30 stolen bases in 114 games for the Brewers this season.
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