There remains no date set for Gonzalez’s first game, but he is having no physical problems as he continues to work his way back from right shoulder surgery.
“It feels good,” Gonzalez said after his session. “Once I am able to get into games and work on the timing a little bit more, that will be an indication, but BP is just hitting BP so it’s a lot easier. You are able to take the swing you want and make adjustments.
“One thing that is good is I am able to cover high pitches and low pitches. It feels good.”
As he did Sunday morning in his first batting practice session, Gonzalez looked the part. He hammered pitches to all fields, sending several toward the parking lot beyond the right field fence at City of Palms Park.
Monday was a day of rest, during which Gonzalez recovered. He said he has felt nothing but “normal” soreness in his body as he progresses toward that ultimate return.
The main objective going forward is to ensure that there is no holding back once the real pitches start to come in.
“Just trying to swing hard with no limitations so I don’t go into games timid to swing the bat,” Gonzalez said. “Just letting it loose.”
About all Gonzalez has felt in the shoulder has been fatigue. He sees that as a natural side effect to all the work that goes into strengthening that area. Otherwise, it’s all systems go and probably just a handful of days until his name is scribbled on the lineup card.
“Everything’s been good,” he added. “Fatigue has been the only thing I’ve gone through and that’s normal. It’s not pain or pinching or any other thing you have to worry about. And fatigue comes from doing a lot of exercises inside and the shoulder gets fatigued because there’s a lot of work on it. Those kinds of things are all normal.”
Gonzalez took about 70 swings Tuesday. He expects to take more cuts Thursday.
