Catcher Russell Martin, healing quickly from a pulled groin muscle, swung without limitations in a three-inning simulated game Sunday morning against Minor League pitchers Tim Sexton and Sean Thompson. And that was just the start of his workout.

Martin also took batting practice at the stadium before Sunday’s game and had a drill blocking pitches in the dirt as it appears he’s in total catch-up mode in hopes of being ready by Opening Day or soon after.

Martin was expected to be out four to six weeks after suffering the injury March 5, but has all along doubted that would be necessary. Management believes he will need a rehab assignment before being activated, although the way he was bouncing around Sunday it seems that games won’t be that far off.

The only thing he hasn’t done yet is full-speed base running, which will be the acid test for a groin injury. — Ken Gurnick