Tyson Ross’ road back to a major league mound has encountered another setback, and while it may end up being a hiccup, he is running out of time to return this season.

Shoulder inflammation landed the Padres’ opening-day starter on the disabled list in early April, and he has yet to come off it. In recent weeks, Ross seemed closer than ever, but manager Andy Green said Wednesday that the right-hander experienced “a measure of soreness in his shoulder” after a rehab start last week.

On Aug. 25, Ross took the mound for High Single-A Lake Elsinore and competed in his first official game setting since April 4. Unsurprisingly, he showed rust, recording just two outs and surrendering four runs.

“I’ve got some things to work on in between, but this was another step in the right direction,” Ross said afterward. “It’s been a long, trying year.”


Ross had hoped to make another rehab start this week, but the new case of soreness “basically stalled out his process or slowed it,” Green said. On a positive note, Ross continues to throw and did so Wednesday, stretching out to 165 feet on flat ground “at moderately high intensity.”

Green said he still expects Ross to return from the DL sometime in September. Making at least a couple starts before season’s end would give the pitcher some confidence heading into the winter.

“This isn’t like anything before. Before, he was shut down completely,” Green said. “It’s just until he feels perfect in our mind, we’re not going to stick him on the mound to throw. ... This isn’t a major setback by any stretch. Just kind of slowed his progress.

“Hopefully we get him one more minor league start before (Lake Elsinore’s season) ends on (Monday).”


The goal now is for Ross to throw a bullpen session later this week.

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