Matt Cain (elbow) is getting close to pitching in spring games, Alex Pavlovic of the San Jose Mercury News reports.

Cain (elbow) is getting close to pitching in spring games, Alex Pavlovic of the San Jose Mercury News reports.

Analysis:

Manager Bruce Bochy had previously suggested Cain wouldn't pitch in games until mid-March, but it's sounding as though the right-hander could make his Cactus League debut a bit sooner than expected. Cain faced live hitters Thursday and is fully expected to be ready for the start of the regular season.