Mike Napoli ready to increase activities

An MRI on the afflicted hips of Red Sox slugger Mike Napoli shows that his condition hasn't gotten worse. As such, he's ready to increase his level of activity.

Mike Napoli is now free to step things up a bit this spring. (Getty Images)

WEEI's Alex Speier has some good news regarding Red Sox slugger Mike Napoli and his afflicted hips:

Napoli says MRI shows AVN in hips ha gotten no worse - the hoped-for result. He will increase activity (grounders on knees, more treadmill)

— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) February 16, 2013

Over the offseason, Napoli was, as Speier's acronym usage implies, diagnosed with avascular necrosis in both hips. That diagnosis caused Napoli's original three-year, $39 million deal with Boston to be scaled down to a one-year pact.

For now, it appears Napoli's condition has leveled off, which is obviously a promising development for the 31-year-old career .259/.356/.507 hitter.

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