ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Left-hander David Price’s recovery from a strained left triceps continued with a another step Monday: throwing.
Price, on the 15-day disabled list since May 16, made about 35 throws while playing catch with head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield in right field for about five minutes Monday at Tropicana Field. It was Price's first such session since he sustained the injury against the Boston Red Sox on May 15.
The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, who’s 1-4 with a 5.24 ERA in nine starts this season, said he "felt really good" and that "it was a very positive day."
"It felt normal," Price said.
Price said he plans to play catch again soon, though it probably will not happen Tuesday as he continues a schedule that includes shoulder exercises every other day. He said he does not have plans to travel with the Rays to Miami during their upcoming two-game trip to Marlins Park on Wednesday and Thursday.
Price can come off the DL as early as Friday, but it does not appear he will be ready to do so at that time.
"I really didn't have any nerves, to be honest," Price said. "I probably threw 40 weighted balls inside before I came out here. . . . I felt good today, playing catch, doing all my exercises. A normal day.
"Probably the first couple days (after the injury) was the toughest and then getting a prognosis and having them sit me down and tell me what all is going on. You have to buy into it. You can’t want to rush things."
Rays manager Joe Maddon also seems pleased about Price's progress.
"(Porterfield) thought he threw really well, actually better than he thought he was going to be able to throw today," Maddon said. "I don’t have anything strong right there except that he’s doing pretty well."
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