Quentin on track for post-All-Star return

CLEVELAND – Carlos Quentin had some encouraging words Wednesday before joining his teammates in pregame batting practice.

“I’m getting closer,” Quentin said while carrying several bats.

After missing five weeks because of plantar fasciitis in his left foot, Quentin has increased the intensity of his workouts to the point where a minor-league rehabilitation assignment is coming into focus.

Because of the nature of his injury and the lengthy recovery, this won’t be a brisk stint at Triple-A Charlotte, hitting coach Greg Walker said.

Quentin, who led the Sox with 36 home runs in only 100 games last season, will be placed on a deliberate program designed to ensure he will be able to withstand the rigors of playing the outfield and running the bases once he returns, which is expected after the All-Star break.

Quentin’s rehab could consist of playing the outfield for a few innings and performing as a designated hitter while gradually building endurance so his foot eventually can tolerate playing nine innings.

“He’s swinging well now and it’s just a matter of his foot going to allow him to play,” Walker said. “That’s it.”

Quentin was batting .229 with eight home runs and 20 RBIs before being placed on the disabled list May 26.

Bullpen coach and former major-league pitcher Juan Nieves has tried to accelerate Quentin’s timing by throwing an assortment of pitches during batting practice.

“His swing is fine,” Walker said. “He spent a lot of time looking at his early-season at-bats. I’m very confident as soon as he gets to Charlotte and gets some at-bats down there and gets his timing back, if his foot is healthy, he’s going to hit.”

That wasn’t the case during May after Quentin initially hurt his foot.

“I think it affected him mentally, to go out there and play hurt,” Walker said. “He knew he was hurt, and it bothered him. There were days when he was limping in and out of the cage to do his pregame work. Mentally, it got him a little whacked out, knowing he was hurt.