Rays pitcher Alex Cobb made it through his simulated game Friday, a good sign in his recovery from an oblique strain.
Cobb tossed 49 pitches in three simulated innings, and should be able to ramp up his workload in his next outing. That should come Monday, though that schedule could change depending on how he feels Saturday.
"Tomorrow's going to be a huge factor in our next step. Assuming everything goes smoothly, we'll be able to go four innings, live BP sim game on Monday," Cobb told MLB.com.
Cobb might be able to pitch in a minor-league rehab game as soon as next week, if Monday's workout goes well. He continues to aim for a late-May return.
"I think that's a possibility," he said. "Would go probably four simulated innings next time, we went three today, and then a five-inning rehab start. I don't see why that's out of the question."