Wizards forward Caron Butler, who went down with a season-ending injury when he broke a bone in his right hand in a game against Milwaukee on April 1, is nearly back to full strength and recently was cleared to participate in full basketball workouts.

Butler and fellow all-star Gilbert Arenas have been working out at Verizon Center since the Wizards were swept out of the first round of the playoffs by the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 30. Arenas's season ended when he injured his knee on April 4 and underwent surgery to repair a torn left meniscus the following day. He is expected to recover well before training camp opens in October.

"We're both in here working hard, getting our bodies right for next season," said Butler. "From a physical standpoint, I feel great."