Jeff Niemann (shoulder) hopes to be ready for spring training. Niemann underwent surgery in early April to repair the labrum and rotator cuff in his right shoulder. He was given a 9-12 month timetable but says he's "ahead of schedule," having already started playing catch from 90 feet. Niemann said that throwing off a mound is still "too far down the road," but he's hoping to be in someone's Opening Day rotation next year. "The way things are going," he said, "the timeline really looks well for next year."