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Righthander Josh James (shoulder) will pitch multiple innings Thursday night for the Class AAA Round Rock, which could be the final step he needs to rejoin the major league club.

“We’ll evaluate him tomorrow and see if he’s going to join us this weekend, or whether he’s going to get another outing,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “We’re hopeful this is going to be his last outing.”

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After a shaky first outing of his rehab assignment, James improved in his second on Monday. He gave up two hits and one earned run with one strikeout in one inning for the Express.

Hinch said James, who is recovering from right shoulder soreness, has been “pain-free.” The manager initially expected James would need until September to return, but James might join the team this weekend in Toronto.

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