Hicks (forearm) faced live pitching in the batting cages Tuesday afternoon, MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger reports. The increased activity adds further validity to GM Terry Ryan's comments earlier in the week that Hicks was progressing well in his recovery from the forearm injury. Hicks seems to believe he'll be ready to go when he's eligible to return from the DL on Monday, but it's unclear if he'll have a starting job waiting for him any longer after stud prospect Byron Buxton went 3-for-5 while moving into the leadoff role Monday night.