Gonzalez (knee) is expected to begin running the bases next week, MLB.com reports. Gonzalez has been taking batting practice and sprinting without pain in his knee, and it sounds like he could run the bases early next week. Running the bases is always a big step for a player returning from injury, typically one of the final hurdles a player must clear before returning to game action. That said, manager Walt Weiss isn't in any hurry to return the 29-year-old to games and is instead focusing more on getting Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki (hip) ready for the start of the regular season.