Hart rehab ahead of schedule

Milwaukee Brewers slugger Corey Hart arrived at spring training on crutches, less than three weeks after having knee surgery with a timetable of mid-to-late May for his return to action

But Wednesday morning, the Brewers right fielder said that his rehab was so far ahead of schedule that he could be back in uniform in late April if all goes well with the rest of his rehab.

"Everything has come faster than they thought it would come," Hart told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "They tell me I am (ahead of schedule). All my swelling is gone already.

"I have to get an MRI at six weeks (from surgery). If that shows the spot they fixed is healed then I can start regular rehab."

The 30-year-old, two-time All-Star underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee on Jan. 25. He also had surgery last spring on the same knee, but went on to hit .270 with 30 homers and 83 RBI.

Hart delayed having the surgery to get a second opinion from a specialist who recommended microfracture surgery.

"He said I'd be out for the year," Hart said. "I said, 'That's not going to happen.'"