Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton took his biggest step yet toward getting back on the field this weekend, and at this point plans on Friday as his return to the lineup as the designated hitter, as reported by ESPN.com.

Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg says he ?stirred up the baseball world? before needing elbow surgery and looks forward to returning to the majors in about a year, according to an Associated Press report. In his first public comments since the Sept. 3 operation, Strasburg said in a conference call Tuesday he had his cast removed about two weeks ago, has been getting his range of motion back, and ?should be starting the actual rehab process shortly.?

Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright may miss his last scheduled start of the season because of stiffness in his elbow, according to an Associated Press report on Monday.

Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton is stepping up his baseball activity in an effort to get back in the lineup before the playoffs, according to an Associated Press report. Hamilton took 25 swings off a tee, ran hard in the outfield, and shagged fly balls prior to Monday night?s game against the Mariners.

Freddy Sanchez will undergo an MRI exam on Monday on his right shoulder, which he injured while turning a double play Saturday. "Right now, that's what I've got," Sanchez said, adding he will continue to play if asked. "I'd be able to do what I did today," he said. "We'll see. Obviously, I want to do everything I can to be in there. At the same time, I don't want to hurt the team in any way if I can't make a play or turn a double play."

The Mets have shut down rookie right-hander Jenrry Mejia for the remainder of the season with a strained muscle in his shoulder blade. Mejia was forced to leave Wednesday's game against the Pirates after flinching during a third-inning pitch that he bounced to Andrew McCutchen.

The Padres will finally get starting pitcher Chris Young back this weekend. He has been sidelined for 5 1/2 months with a strained right shoulder. Young is coming off three rehab starts in the minor leagues and is expected to start on Saturday night against the Cardinals.

Mets left fielder Jason Bay won't officially say he's done for the season, but he's unlikely to take the field again in 2010. "Given the lack of things that I've done at this point to get back on there, I understand it's probably highly unlikely, but it's still a goal," Bay said. Bay suffered a whiplash-induced concussion at Dodger Stadium on July 23. He played two games before the symptoms surfaced on a cross-country flight back to New York. He has not attempted to swing a bat and the season will end on Oct. 2. "There's been a few things where you run a little bit too hard and your body is kind of like, 'Let's slow down a little bit,' but no setbacks," Bay said. "There's really nothing that you can do to set it back. It's more just: You do things and you feel good, you do a little bit more. And if you don't feel good, you wait. You just keep piling it up."

Phillies shortshop Jimmy Rollins is officially listed as day-to-day, but there appears to be a chance that he won't return in the regular season. Hamstrings can take time to heal and Rollins didn't sound very optimistic on Tuesday. "I hope so," said Rollins. "Studies show, even if it's a mild hamstring, even though the doctors like to say 7 to 10 days, it's usually 3 weeks. And that's at the mildest, before I can go and do what I need to do. But I'm not going to have 3 weeks. Three weeks, that puts us right at the playoffs, so I'm definitely going to try to do my best to come back before that."

Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte is ready to return to the mound after completing his final rehab start on Tuesday night. Pettitte allowed a homer to the first batter he faced, but settled in and allowed two runs over five innings while pitching for the Double-A Trenton Thunder. "I'll pitch in Baltimore and that will give me three starts," Pettitte said.