Finally - some good news on David Ortiz

On the surface, taking 50 swings in a batting cage is no big deal...unless you're David Ortiz and you've spent the last 9 days shut down from baseball activity due to inflammation in your right heel.

The real key will be later today when Ortiz sees how his right Achilles feels. For the past 9 days he's been limited to off-field activity including jogging on an underwater treadmill. For a team that is counting on Ortiz to supply big offensive numbers in 2013, the sight of Big Papi taking swings again, even in the limited confines of a spring training batting cage, is welcome.

Ortiz's status for Opening Day remains highly doubtful.

Follow Jim Monaghan on twitter - @Monaghan21.