15 Kyle Seager 3B

Seager (hand) is close to beginning a minor-league rehab assignment, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Seager is eligible for activation from the 60-day injured list May 25, and assuming everything goes as planned during his rehab stint, it sounds like veteran third baseman should be ready to return at that point.

Seager (hand) is optimistic he'll be ready to return from the 60-day injured list when first eligible May 25, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Seager has been sidelined all season recovering from hand surgery he underwent in mid-March. The veteran third baseman said he felt good during an on-field batting practice session Tuesday, giving him confidence in his ability to return when first eligible. Seager will still have to complete a minor-league rehab assignment before being cleared to rejoin the big club, but he's trending in the right direction. Look for Ryon Healy to continue filling in at third base until Seager is ready to return.

Seager (hand) participated in batting practice on the field Tuesday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Seager resumed hitting off a tee last week and Tuesday's batting practice session was his first since undergoing hand surgery March 12. The 31-year-old will be eligible to be activated off the 60-day injured list in late May, but it's currently unclear if he'll require additional time on the shelf.

Seager (hand) was out on the field taking grounders before Saturday's game with infield coach Perry Hill, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports. "It's definitely exciting for me," Seager said after working out with Hill. "It'd been a long time, so it was nice getting back out there and doing something. I'm ahead of schedule. I feel good. I have full range of motion, the strength is coming back. We're still doing a lot of strengthening work to get back to the norm, but physically it feels good."

It's yet another positive step for Seager, as he also began swinging a bat on soft toss pitches and off a tee earlier in the week. Saturday's on-field work was his first since his March surgery. Seager also continues to work daily with team physical therapist Ryan Bitzel at T-Mobile Park as part of his recovery process.

Seager (hand) recently resumed hitting off a tee, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

This marks a step in the right direction for Seager, who has been sidelined all season after undergoing hand surgery in mid-March. The veteran third baseman is still a ways away from rejoining the Mariners, with a timetable for his return likely not coming into focus until he begins facing live pitching. Ryon Healy will continue to fill in at the hot corner in his absence.