Twins pitcher Kyle Gibson felt "encouraged" by a long-toss session of 120 feet on Friday, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Gibson was scratched from Saturday's start because of a back issue. He tossed 10-15 pitches in the bullpen, and will throw a bullpen session Saturday, per MLB.com. Barring any setbacks, he could return to the rotation as early as Tuesday against the Royals in Kansas City.