BOSTON -- Red Sox starter David Price will throw a bullpen Sunday and could return to the rotation before the end of the homestand.

Price, who has been on the injured list since Monday with elbow tendinitis, is feeling much better than he was after his start in Chicago last Thursday. His bullpen will be important in determining the next steps in his recovery.

“Let’s see how that goes,” manager Alex Cora said. “We’ll decide what we’re going to do after that.”

Price played catch Tuesday and Wednesday in Baltimore and again at Fenway Park on Friday. The lefty is likely to avoid a rehab start and could be a candidate to pitch either Wednesday against the Rockies or Friday against Houston.

After Rick Porcello starts against the Mariners on Saturday, the Sox will use a spot starter (likely Hector Velazquez or Josh Smith) in the series finale Sunday. Chris Sale will pitch Tuesday and the team has not yet announced a starter for Wednesday.