Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Jim Thome experienced no pain in a simulated game Monday and could be activated from the disabled list as early as Friday if his rehab continues as planned, per the Baltimore Sun:
Thome, 42, will participate in a simulated game again on Tuesday and will hit in an instructional league game on Wednesday. If all goes well, he could join the Orioles in Boston for the series that starts Friday or in Baltimore for Monday's doubleheader.
Acquired from the Phillies at the end of June, Thome hit .261/.354/.391 with two home runs for the Orioles in limited playing time and has been sidelined since July 31 with a herniated disk in his neck. The veteran slugger will provide a much-needed power bat to Baltimore's bench for the stretch run with Wilson Betemit out indefinitely nursing a wrist injury.
Baltimore stands three games ahead of the Angels for the second wild card spot and just half a game back of the Yankees in the AL East with 15 games remaining.
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