BOSTON - David Price continues to make progress in his way back from a left elbow strain.

Price threw his second bullpen session on Wednesday and is slated for a third session on Saturday in Boston. He's expected to toss two sets of 20-25 pitches, with a short break in between to simulate rest in between innings.

"Coming out of that, if he's feeling as consistent as he's been, could foresee hitters possibly early next week," manager John Farrell said.



After a handful of simulated game sessions, Price will go on a minor-league rehab assignment where he'll need to build up pitch count much like spring training. He'll likely need at least four minor-league starts to get up to the 90-pitch range before the Red Sox activate him.

"We would have to build him up to a desired pitch count, not only for his own preparation, but to come back in and not subject our bullpen to over use in that way," Farrell said. "I don't think you would skip any steps along the way here."



Price has been throwing his breaking ball on flat ground and will begin throwing it in the bullpen session on Saturday. At this point, the Red Sox haven't put a radar gun on Price with the idea they want him to get going first before analyzing the speed of his pitches.

"I can tell you this, he's throwing with quite a bit of intensity," Farrell said. "To give you an exact percentage, I can't say, but he's not just easily going through his delivery. There's effort and intensity to the pitches thrown. And when you're able to see him throw his sinker or two-seamer to his glove side - which is what you look for to be the most extension - he's doing that right now."

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