FORT MYERS, Fla. — It has been a little more than seven months since David Ortiz strained his right Achilles’ tendon, but he has not yet been cleared to play.

Ortiz said Friday he had a “small tear” in his Achilles’ last summer that has healed, and a recent MRI showed no difference from the tendon in his left foot. His doctors and therapists advised a gradual buildup to being able to play in a game.