Aaron Sanchez (back) threw off a mound Wednesday for the first time since straining a lat muscle in mid-June, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet reports.

Sanchez (back) threw off a mound Wednesday for the first time since straining a lat muscle in mid-June, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet reports.

Analysis:

Sanchez threw for the first time last Monday, and reported being pain free. He has now progressed to the point of throwing off a mound, and figures to throw several more bullpen sessions before advancing to facing live hitters. Sanchez was showing some improvements as a starter before hitting the shelf, but there's been talk that he could return to a bullpen role once healthy.