Price 'more optimistic' about recent elbow injury than one suffered in spring

Boston Red Sox left-hander David Price doesn't know when he'll be back on the mound, but is encouraged that he feels much better than earlier this spring when he missed more than two months with elbow soreness.

"I feel good, honestly," Price said Saturday, according to Sean McAdam of the Boston Sports Journal. "It's not the same as what went on in spring training. It's nowhere near the extent of what happened on March 2. I feel good. I'm way more optimistic than I was in spring training. In spring training, (the issue) was 10 out of 10; this is a one. It's not what it was in the spring. I'm confident I'll be OK."

Price met with renowned Tommy John surgeon Dr. James Andrews in March after experiencing soreness, but was told surgery would not be needed. Price, however, wouldn't make his season debut until May 29. He'd take the mound for 11 starts and showed good velocity upon his return, before landing on the 10-day disabled list Friday with left elbow inflammation.

While Price is encouraged with his current health, he wasn't willing to commit to a return date.

"I have to say it will be more than 10 days," he said. "I'll play catch. We did all the strength tests and grip tests and my strength and my grip were both stronger than they were in spring training. All the signs are really good. I'm going to take it a day at a time and take care of it."

The Red Sox front office, meanwhile, fully expects Price to return in the near future, with president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski saying Friday that the team has no intention of trading for a starter prior to the non-waiver trade deadline.