Giants' Cain not close to return, will play catch Tuesday

San Francisco Giants right-hander Matt Cain will play catch Tuesday for the first time since being diagnosed with a flexor tendon strain, but he won't take the mound at AT&T Park anytime soon.

Though the 30-year-old noted improvement in his right arm after throwing medicine balls earlier this month, Cain is still many weeks away from pitching, according to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle.

A rash of injuries have derailed Cain's career of late, as the three-time All-Star was limited to just 15 starts last season and underwent season-ending surgery in August to remove bone chips in his elbow.

Still, manager Bruche Bochy expressed optimism that Cain will resemble the dominant hurler who posted a 2.93 ERA (129 ERA+) from 2009 to 2012 when he tosses the ball around Tuesday.

"My hope is we'll see the Matt Cain that we know," Bochy told Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News.