It really surprises me that it has not been mentioned on here or any of the fan blogs across the internet, but Evan Gattis has been progressing through his rehab a lot quicker and more positively than expected. Only after two weeks removed from his hernia surgery, he is jogging, running, jump roping and even taking LIVE batting practice. If you don't believe me on that, just check out some of these updates from around social media:

Evan Gattis (@BulldogBeing) doing some light work Monday as he bounces back from sports hernia surgery. #Astros pic.twitter.com/syNOVoH4O3 — Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) February 22, 2016

Gattis plays light catch while teammates stretch pic.twitter.com/ULzQw6dXca — Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) February 22, 2016

Designated hitter Evan Gattis, two weeks removed from hernia surgery, did some light running and jump roping Tuesday. — Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) February 23, 2016

Evan Gattis putting in some early rope work on this beautiful Kissimmee morning. #AstrosST ⚾️ A photo posted by Houston Astros (@astrosbaseball) on Feb 25, 2016 at 5:33am PST

I know that we are salivating over the prospects that could be called up to the big league roster. Especially with the 1st base job highly coveted. Reed or White could even pull of the upset of the season by doing better than Singleton in Spring Training and beating him out for the job. Even if the symbolic "clock" on these prospects starts early, many including myself would beg the question of, "Why Not?! Let them play!"

But given that the team was sticking strictly to the "Up to 6 week" timetable for Gattis to resume regular baseball activities, he is defying the odds and exceeding all expectations. It almost seems to be on a superhuman level that he is making such good progress. Even with the new salary he is now making, Gattis is out there everyday busting his tail (and hopefully, nothing else) to get himself back into full form to help this team win games. That is proof of how valuable the Big White Bear is to this team. Of course, he will still need to be monitored to make sure there are no setbacks. Something that everyone in the fan base, I would think, truly wishes for.

However, at the rate that he is currently going through the rehab, I would even venture to think that El Oso Blanco may actually be ready by opening day against the New York Yankees. If not then, at the very least, Gattis just may be ready in time for the Minute Maid Park home opener against the defending World Series Champion, Kansas City Royals. Unpredictability still lingers, but nothing is out of the realm of possibility. And this recent progress just may have the DH back in the lineup in no time!