Rays ace David Price to throw simulated game Thursday

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- AL Cy Young Award winner David Price is scheduled to throw his first simulated game Thursday since being sidelined last month by a strained left triceps.

The Tampa Bay left-hander, put on the disabled list for the first time in his career May 16, could rejoin the rotation by late June or early July.

Price was first scheduled to throw the simulated game Saturday, but Rays manager Joe Maddon said the pitcher threw so well in his second bullpen session Monday that the timeline was moved up.

Price is 1-4 with a 5.24 ERA after going 20-5 with a 2.56 ERA in 2012.

Tampa Bay placed starting pitcher Alex Cobb on the bereavement list due to the death of his grandmother. Right-hander Jake Odorizzi was recalled from Triple-A Durham to work out of the bullpen.

The Rays bullpen was short-handed for Tuesday night's game against Boston after seven relievers pitched in Monday night's 10-8, 14-inning loss to the Red Sox.