David Price, the Boston Red Sox ace hampered by elbow soreness for the last month, is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Monday for the first time since being shut down for about a week in early March, according to multiple reports.
Price, who opened the season on the 10-day disabled list, was cleared to resume throwing last week, and Red Sox manager John Farrell was encouraged after the 31-year-old played catch from 90 feet Saturday.
"(It was) a positive day for David today," Farrell told MLB.com's Ian Browne.
At this point, though, even barring any setbacks, the next step in his recovery remains unclear beyond Monday's bullpen, as the Red Sox stressed toward the end of spring training that they will be patient with Price, who was expected to be out until May.
"Right now, sitting here today, we don't know how many innings he'll be able to pitch for us this year," Farrell said Saturday. "We fully expect him to come back to us. I'd love to sit here and tell you the date in which that will be. The way we have to approach this is he'll be with us when he's first available and with the ability to impact this team and certainly the rotation."
Now into the second season of a seven-year, $217-million deal, Price - assured of no structural damage after exiting his Grapefruit League debut with soreness in his elbow and forearm - posted a 3.99 ERA (114 ERA+) and 1.20 WHIP over 35 starts with the Red Sox in 2016.