Cashner Injury Update

May 2, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Andrew Cashner (34) throws during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Andrew Cashner played catch on Saturday.  That was good news.  But the really important thing was how he felt on Sunday, the following day.

"“He feels good and he’s pretty confident,” Padres manager Bud Black said. “In the next few days, we’ll get together with the medical staff and form a throwing program for him.” h/t to Corey Black at padres.mlb.com"

Cashner has been on the disabled list since May 16, after experiencing soreness in his right elbow, which is his pitching elbow.  After the initial scare that this might be a more serious injury, it appears that Cashner is on his way to a relatively speedy recovery.

On Saturday, he threw to catcher Rene Rivera from distances of 60 feet and 100 feet.  This was the first time Cashner had thrown since experiencing the soreness.  Black and the Padres’ training staff were just as concerned about how Cashner would feel the next day as they were about the actual throwing.

Black’s comments show that things are progressing well.

Cashner is no doubt anxious to return to the field.  But according to Brock, it is likely to still be a few weeks before Cashner returns to the active list, as the team will want him to pitch in either a simulated game or a minor-league game before returning.