Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jake Odorizzi, who is suffering from a strained oblique in his left side, threw off a mound Monday and said it will be only a matter of a few weeks before he makes his return to the rotation.
"Two weeks is realistic for being back here," Odorizzi said.
Odorizzi, who went on the disabled list June 9, is 4-5 with a 2.47 ERA in 12 games this season.
Rays manager Kevin Cash said the right-hander would have another bullpen session Wednesday, throw batting practice Saturday and make a minor league rehab start next week, but wouldn't speculate on Odorizzi's timetable beyond that.
"That's the plan as of right now, but it just all depends on how things feel," Odorizzi told reporters. "If something doesn't feel right, I'm going to tell the coaching staff that I need to bump it back a time or do another rehab start or whatever it may be.
"I've just got be honest and not try to come back too soon. Do they need me two starts before the All-Star break or for the rest of the year after the All-Star break? Just have to be smart about it."
Meanwhile, pitcher Matt Moore, who is on a minor league rehab assignment following elbow surgery last year, appears to be on target to return late this month or in early July.