Farrell encouraged as Price throws in cage

Red Sox lefty shows 'freeness to the movement,' but skipper not putting timetable on return

David Price demonstrated good range of motion during his throwing session Saturday. (AP)

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Red Sox left-hander David Price continues to progress from the elbow soreness that sent him out of camp last week to meet with Dr. James Andrews and Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Indianapolis.

"He actually went and threw in the cage today, about 25 throws," Red Sox manager John Farrell said before Saturday's split-squad game against the Rays. "And the range of motion, the freeness to the movement is all positive. Granted, we recognize it's the early stages right now, but a good day for David today.

"It was just throwing into the net, just to get his arm moving -- a little bit ahead of what we laid out [Friday]. But that's based on how he feels and the positivity towards it.

"All of the early phase of throwing is going to be short distance, controlled effort and energy. So, we're not even mapping out distances right now. We're more interested in seeing how his arm responds to even the light volume as of today."

Farrell is not ready to put a timetable on a potential return to game activity for Price.

"I'm not really focused on any kind of timeline," Farrell said. "He's going to be out there when first ready, first available. But there's still work to do. The biggest key for us is going to be when he gets to the point of aggressive long toss and getting on the mound. That's where the more extension in the arm is going to come into play. That will be a big phase in the return."

The Red Sox are counting on Price to be part of their rotation along with left-hander Chris Sale, who started against the Rays on Saturday, and 2016 American League Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello -- with left-handers Eduardo Rodriguez and Drew Pomeranz and knuckleballer Steven Wright vying for the remaining two spots. They also have depth in right-hander Kyle Kendrick, and lefties Henry Owens and Brian Johnson.

Lefty Roenis Elias, also part of the rotation depth, won't throw for about three weeks after sustaining a right intercostal strain on Thursday, which scratched him from his scheduled start against Team USA that day.

Maureen Mullen is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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