ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Tampa Bay Rays left-hander David Price will not begin minor league rehab assignments as early as first thought.
On Sunday morning, the Rays announced that Price, on the disabled list with a strained left triceps since May 16, would play catch Sunday, throw from a longer distance Monday and then throw another bullpen session likely Tuesday. The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner threw 54 pitches in his first simulated game last Thursday and 25 pitches in a bullpen session on Saturday. However, he experienced what the Rays have called "spring training soreness" since then.
Previously, it was thought Price could begin as many a three rehab assignments, possibly fewer, as early as Tuesday this week.
"It's not a setback or anything," said Price, who added that his arm was feeling better Sunday. "It's just something that happened. Obviously, I didn't want to be as sore as I was. But the way that I feel today, if you would have asked me if I would have felt this good today, I would have been, ‘There's no chance.'
"My entire arm was sore (Saturday), and that's just because of getting out there and facing those hitters after not doing it for a month and exerting the type of energy I was exerting. To feel as good as I do today, that's definitely a big bright spot."
Price admitted that the work feels somewhat tedious this far into his rehab process. This is the first DL stint of his career since he made his debut with the Rays in 2008. He has not traveled with the team since sustaining the injury in an abbreviated start against the Boston Red Sox on May 15, but he has remained a presence at Tropicana Field during homestands. He is 1-4 with a 5.24 ERA in nine starts this season.
"When you're on the DL and doing rehab, nothing is ever set in stone," Price said. "You want to take it day-by-day and make sure you don't have setbacks. That's what we're doing right now."
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