Justin Maxwell (hand) ran and played catch Thursday and is expected to begin swinging a bat next week.

Maxwell had the protective cast removed from his fractured left hand on Tuesday and is ramping up his baseball activities slowly but surely. Barring a setback, he should be ready for activation before the end of the month.

Justin Maxwell will undergo an X-ray mid-week to determine how much his fractured left hand has healed.

If the healing is sufficient, Maxwell could begin a rehab assignment in mid-May, putting him on pace to return at the beginning of his protected 4-6 week timetable. "I can't change what happened. The only way it's going to get better is through healing. . The more positive you are in your attitude, the quicker it's going to heal," said Maxwell. "I'm just looking forward to Tuesday or Wednesday and seeing what it's looking like and hopefully everything's going well."

Justin Maxwell (hand) is expected to be sidelined for four weeks.

Maxwell has a non-displaced fracture in his left hand, so he will not require surgery. The outfielder should be able to start swinging again in a few weeks and could be back in the Astros' lineup by the end of next month.