Twins starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco will test the stability of his ankle during a bullpen session on Thursday, per TwinCities.com.
Nolasco, who is on the 15-day disabled list, will throw a light session on Thursday and is expected to pick up the intensity in another session come Sunday.
"The light pen is because I’ve been off for a good time from throwing,” Nolasco said. “We’ll try to get my arm back into it just a little bit. We’ll do a heavy one Sunday, then we’ll see where we’re at.”
Nolasco received a cortisone shot last week to ease the pain, but part of the rehab requires him to feel comfortable back on the mound.
“The mound is the biggest thing because there’s a rubber there that you’re pushing off,” Nolasco said. “With the angle and the way a pitcher’s foot drags, that’s obviously what caused it in the first place. We’ll see if I can do it or not.”
Nolasco is 5-1 with a 5.51 ERA in 32 2/3 innings this season.