Right after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured left hamate bone, Chicago Cubs catcher/first baseman Victor Caratini made a bold prediction.

“I told (the trainer) I’d be back quickly,” Caratini said.

He was right.

Caratini has had a remarkable recovery from the injury. He’s not only 100 percent now and back on the field, but could be back in Chicago soon playing for the Cubs — well ahead of the four to six weeks Cubs officials anticipated him being out for.

“I did everything the trainers told me in Chicago and tried to put in my effort to recover faster, and I did it,” Caratini said.

The hard work paid off for Caratini, who was placed on the injured list back on April 12. Cubs officials estimated Caratini would be out four to six weeks after surgery. But that wasn’t good enough for Caratini, who had turned in a strong start to the season and wanted to get back on the field as soon as possible.

So, he vowed to be back into games well ahead of that timeframe. With his hard work and the help of Chicago’s staff, Caratini accomplished the feat. Three-and-half weeks after landing on the IL, Caratini was back on the field starting a rehab assignment with Sound Bend on May 6. He played in five games there, hitting .250 (3-for-12). Caratini then joined the Iowa Cubs on May 11 to continue his rehab assignment.

“I’m good at recovering and I put 100 percent (in) to be back quickly,” Caratini said.

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Caratini said the Cubs didn’t give him a timetable for how long the rehab assignment could last. But it's clear that the Cubs want to get him back to the big leagues as soon as possible to help provide some backup for catcher Willson Contreras. Caratini said he just needs to get his timing back and that could take just a “couple more at-bats.”

“I feel good,” Caratini said. “I feel almost back to normal. I feel great.”

While Caratini has had a speedy recovery, the timing of the injury couldn’t have been much worse. Caratini had just made his first Opening Day roster and solidified himself as a solid backup at catcher and first base. He was also off to a great start, hitting .545 (6-11) with a double, homer and four RBI in five games with Chicago this season.

“It’s tough,” Caratini said. “I felt really good at the start of the season.”

The good news is that Caratini could be back in the majors soon — very soon.

“We just want to get him sharpened up to where he can step right in and make a big contribution like he was before he got hurt,” said Randy Bush, Chicago’s assistant general manager.