FORT MYERS, FLA. -- Scott Baker gave two thumbs up after testing his injured right elbow with 52 pitches, including 15 warm-up tosses, in a bullpen session Saturday at Hammond Stadium.
Baker, who has been dealing with elbow tendonitis, said he was throwing with about 75-80 percent effort. He'll have another bullpen session Monday, and if that goes well, he could be ready to start an exhibition game Thursday.
"Monday will be more of a max-effort bullpen," Baker said. "So as long as I recover tomorrow, then that's what we'll do."
Baker guessed that if all goes well, he'd probably throw about 40-45 pitches in Thursday's game.
It remains uncertain whether he'll be ready to make his first scheduled start of the season, in the April 9 home opener against the Angels. On Friday, Baker acknowledged that he might have to open the year on the disabled list, but either way, Saturday was a positive step.
