Injury Update: Andrew Cashner to Throw Simulated Game Monday

Andrew Cashner continues to breeze through his rehab process for elbow soreness. Initially thought to be another notch in the surgeons desk for the Tommy John epidemic of 2014, he’s set to throw a simulated game on Monday, with a return likely for later in the week. Padres beat writer Corey Brock tweeted out that Cashner will likely not have a rehab start in the minors, and will pitch in the majors on regular rest after the simulated game.

Brock also mentioned in his May 27th article that Cashner may work with manager Bud Black to adjust his slider grip, which could be partly to blame for the injury. Cashner doesn’t throw a conventional slider, but instead a knuckle-slider, an uncommon variation also used by AJ Burnett.

Knuckle-slider grip

There’s no set return date yet, with estimates ranging from next weekend against the Nationals to mid-June. If the sim goes well, the return will be closer to the former.

Cashner’s return would be huge for the Padres, who have been 4-7 since his placement on the DL. The offense is also starting to turn it around, so the match up together would be more than welcomed.