Cron (hand) is expected to progress to taking live batting practice soon, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.
Doctors cleared Cron to begin hitting last week, less than a month after he suffered a broken left hand a result of a hit-by-pitch. Given his progress, it seems Cron has a real chance to beat the front end of his original 6-to-8 week estimated return timetable, although he will likely need a few games in the minors to shake the rust before ultimately being activated.