Willingham Swings Off Tee

[JJ]

Josh Willingham continues to rehabilitate his back injury

Adding a little more each day is how the Marlins are approaching getting Josh Willingham back to full speed.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Marlins left fielder took 25 pain-free swings off a tee in the batting cage. It was his second straight day of swinging the bat, and it was five more than the 20 he took on Monday.

Next up is 25 soft-toss swings, or flips, on Wednesday in Atlanta.

Willingham went on the disabled list on May 2, retroactive to April 28. The 29-year-old left fielder has been bothered by a lower back strain and a herniated disc.

The plan is for 25 soft toss swings for two straight days, Wednesday and Thursday. If all goes well, he likely will take a breather on Friday and await his next course of action.

"After that, I don't know if he [trainer Sean Cunningham] wants me to take [batting practice] on the field, or if he wants me to take flips. I have no idea," Willingham said.

A couple of weeks ago, he had a setback, partly because he rushed things.

"They're not like letting me do that this time," Willingham said.

The Official Site of The Florida Marlins: News: Willingham continues rehab