MLB.com’s Martín Gallegos reports there’s a chance Gelof is ready for a minor league rehab assignment by the end of the week. The 25-year-old power/speed combo infielder is targeting a late April or early May return to the Athletics’ lineup, which doesn’t seem like a stretch. He’s been out since late March after undergoing surgery to repair a hamate fracture in his right hand.

Gelof underwent surgery last week to repair a hamate fracture in his right wrist and is aiming to beat his original 6-8 week recovery timeline. The 25-year-old told reporters Tuesday that he’s targeting more of a 4-6 week timetable from the date of the procedure, which would put him back in the A’s lineup by late April. It’s not out of the question, but there’s little incentive for the Athletics to rush him back too soon. The positive news here is that he figures to be back by late April or early May.

Gelof will open the regular season on the injured list and is expected to begin rehabbing later this week. Hamate injuries tend to be extremely problematic for hitters, even after being cleared to return, so it’s a situation fantasy managers will need to monitor closely. It’ll be prospect Max Muncy taking over as the Athletics’ starting second baseman during his absence.

While there was previous concern that Gelof still might not be ready for Opening Day despite negative X-rays on his hand, it’s now been confirmed that he has a hook of the hamate fracture in his right hand. The 25-year-old second baseman will have surgery and there’s no timetable for his return. Luis Urias is the obvious internal candidate to fill in for Gelof at second base.