Left-hander Cole Hamels, who has been sidelined since straining his left oblique June 28, started a throwing progression Friday, playing catch from 60-75 feet. The Cubs plan to evaluate his condition again Saturday to determine his next step.

Hamels, who missed two months in 2017 with a more severe oblique injury to the other side, is expected back at some point next month. While this typically can be a six-week injury, the Cubs won’t estimate a timeline. They also have no intention of pushing Hamels and risking a setback that could mean September — or worse.

“He’s been feeling pretty well, even prior to the break,” manager Joe Maddon said. “Talking to him, he was pretty optimistic. We’ll see how he feels [Saturday].”

Hamels (6-3, 2.98 ERA) was one of the National League’s hottest starters in June, with a 1.22 ERA for the month.

Filling for Cole

The Cubs expect to announce in the next day or two their plans for filling Hamels’ rotation spot the next time it comes up Tuesday. It won’t be prospect Adbert Alzolay, who would be on short rest that day after starting Friday for Class AAA Iowa. But keep an eye on Iowa right-hander Alec Mills. He has more experience, he’s 5-0 with a 2.72 ERA in his last eight starts and his schedule can be manipulated to work.

The Cubs would need to fill Hamels’ spot only once more before Aug. 3.

Long look for rook?

After an impressive four-game debut before the break, rookie switch-hitter Robel Garcia was back in the lineup at second base Friday, and Maddon sounded as if he plans to ride the hot bat indefinitely.

“We’re going to find out,” said Maddon, who had Garcia scheduled to start at second for two of the three games against the Pirates. “We just need to get him out there.

Garcia was released from the Indians’ Class A team in 2013 and spent the next five years in independent ball and the Italian pro leagues. He was 4-for-11 with two homers, a triple and two walks in three starts and a pinch-hitting appearance entering the break.

“I don’t want to heap a lot of extravagant expectations on him right now,” Maddon said. “Just go play.”