48 Ryan Ludwick, LF

Reds outfielder Ryan Ludwick was adamant that he will not be able to return from labrum surgery by the All-Star break, when asked by the Cincinnati Enquirer Saturday.

"People seem to be under the impression that I’ll be back in the middle of July and that’s a complete lie," Ludwick said. "I can't even resume baseball activities until July 3, so it's at least the middle of August. I can't even throw a baseball or swing a bat until July. I've got a whole lot of stuff to do. I've got to get in baseball shape, as they call it. You take three, four months from throwing a baseball, it's going to take a while to get your arm back in shape."

Ludwick has been out since opening day, and he has begun doing rehabilitation work, but is not close to returning. Judging by his words, he should not be expected back until August at the earliest. 

Reds outfielder Ryan Ludwick, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, is making slight progress but has not been cleared to swing a bat or take fly balls.

"It takes three months for sutures to heal," Ludwick told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "That's the protocol. Flexibility and strength are ahead of schedule."

Ludwick is scheduled to resume baseball activity in early July with hopes of returning near the All-Star break.