Giants' Evan Longoria: Could return ahead of schedule

Longoria (finger) could return within four weeks rather than six as previously expected, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

A four-week timetable would give him a shot at returning before the end of April. While the Giants could still wind up playing things cautiously with the veteran third baseman, it appears as though he's making great progress in his recovery from finger surgery. He'll get his stitches out Friday and has already begun grip exercises.