Youk is still hopeful he'll return... I just don't see it happening... "Kevin Youkilis, the Yankees’ corner infielder, still hopes he will return to the lineup before the season ends. But, he said Sunday, he still hasn’t picked up a bat or glove since surgery June 20 to fix a herniated disk in his back." http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2013/08/kevin_youkilis_still_hopeful_he_will_return_this_season_from_back_surgery.html
Back in 1997 I had the 1st of what would be 16 back operations. And it was for a herniated disc. L-5 S-1. I was back to work in approx 4 weeks (I loaded & unloaded trucks for a living) at that time. I pushed myself & only ended up back on the operating table. Youkilis will not be back this season. Trust me.
What he wants and what is reality are two different things. It's already going to be mid August and he hasn't done anything yet. I'm sure his goal is to show somebody he's ok to play so he has a job somewhere after this season.