Hart moving quickly toward game action

Corey Hart will take batting practice on the field for the first time Monday and still hopes to be the Brewers’ Opening Day right fielder.

Hart, who had cartilage repaired in his right knee on March 6, hopes to begin playing Minor League games on Friday. Those games are flexible, so Hart could lead off every inning and begin compiling the plate appearances he needs to be ready for the season opener.

“If I can get in a game by Friday, I think I would have plenty of at-bats for Opening Day,” Hart said. “Everything is accelerating. I think we have to push it and see if I can actually get in a game.”

The true test will be defense and baserunning, Hart said. He was not sure whether he would play a few innings in the outfield from the start of his Minor League assignment, or whether he would just hit.

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