Farrell optimistic after Price throws for 1st time since being shut down

The last thing John Farrell wants is to rush his $217-million man back into action.

But with David Price having thrown Saturday for the first time since being shut down last week, the Boston Red Sox manager admitted he was content with the early progress shown by the left-hander.

"I know yesterday we talked about increasing the rehab and putting some plyometrics in place. But he actually went and threw in the cage today, about 25 throws, and the range of motion, the freeness to the movement is all positive," Farrell told reporters, according to WEEI's Rob Bradford. "Granted, we recognize we're at the early stages right now, but it's a good day for David."

After an MRI to determine the cause of soreness in Price's elbow returned inconclusive, the Red Sox sent him to see renowned surgeon Dr. James Andrews on March 3 about the possibility of a torn ligament in his throwing arm. Andrews said the southpaw wouldn't need surgery to alleviate the issue, which required only about a weeks' worth of rest to rehab.

Though Price's outlook has done a 180 since he first experienced discomfort, Farrell still isn't marking his calendar with a return date for the 31-year-old.

"I'm not really focused on any kind of timeline," he said. "He's going to be out there when he's ready, first available. There's still work to do.

"The biggest key for us is when he gets to the point of aggressive long-toss and getting on the mound, that's where the more extension to the arm is going to come into play. That will be a big phase in the return."