Aaron Hill (hand) is hoping to be cleared to hit off a tee sometime next week.

Hill has had to keep his soft cast on longer than expected, but he'll visit the doctor again Sunday and undergo another CT scan Monday in hopes that he can start hitting. The second baseman to this point has been limited to running and standing in on bullpen sessions to track pitches. He won't be back until late May at the earliest, and there's a good chance his absence will extend into June.

Doctors have decided to keep the splint on Aaron Hill's fractured left hand after he was examined on Tuesday.

He will be re-examined next week to see how much the bone has regenerated. If it has shown sufficient healing, Hill will be allowed to start the rehab process. The second baseman isn't expected to return until at least late May.

Diamondbacks placed 2B Aaron Hill on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 15, with a broken left hand.

It's unclear how long Hill will be sidelined, but it's a huge loss for the Diamondbacks. Martin Prado is starting at second base Tuesday night against the Yankees and could see more playing time there in the days head. The Diamondbacks activated Didi Gregorius (elbow) from the disabled list in a corresponding roster move, which opens the door for the possibility of Cliff Pennington playing some second base.