"You do what you can," said Hamilton, who is nine years and two toe surgeries removed from a 41-stolen base season.
Two years ago, Fassel was angry when Hilliard put off toe surgery for months.
O'Neal missed the first 12 games of the 2002-2003 season recovering from toe surgery.
The Yankees want Hernández back from June's toe surgery now.
Meanwhile, Charles Oakley has still not regained all-star form since returning from toe surgery.
Sanders is still hurting from a hamstring injury, and this off-season he had toe surgery.
"People say, 'why do toe surgery if they work just fine?' "
Hernandez, who had toe surgery in June, had made three minor league rehabilitation starts.
Hernández had elbow problems last season and toe surgery last June, but he said he felt fine.
How did Casey's toe surgery go?