His return to the Tampa Bay Rays is still unknown, but left-hander David Price appears to be close. Price allowed two hits and struck out eight batters in his second rehab start for Class A Charlotte against Bradenton, a Pittsburgh Pirates affiliate, on Wednesday at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Fla. He threw 72 pitches, 54 for strikes, and walked one in five innings. “I felt just as good as I did in Bradenton,” Price told reporters, referring to his first rehab start last Friday, also against the Marauders. “My legs weren’t shaking today, so that was a good thing. It’s just getting out there with the repetitions — seeing hitters, hearing walk-up songs, just getting back into your routine. That’s what I was able to do today.” On May 16, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner was placed on the disabled list for the first time in his career with a strained left triceps. He sustained the injury in an abbreviated start against the Boston Red Sox the night before at Tropicana Field. Rays manager Joe Maddon has said in recent weeks that he expected a late June/early July return for Price into Tampa Bay’s rotation. Price is 1-4 with a 5.24 ERA in nine starts this season. “I’m tired of missing road trips,” Price told reporters Wednesday. “That stuff kind of wears on me whenever I’m sitting at home just watching baseball games and not being on the bench.” You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.
