MIAMI -- Marlins right-hander Eury Pérez, sidelined since May 29 with a gracilis strain in his right thigh, could return to the big league mound as early as next week.
The 23-year-old began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday evening and met all expectations laid out in a June 15 update, throwing 51 pitches (37 strikes) over 3 2/3 innings. He allowed a run on three hits and struck out five.
Pérez rejoined the club in Miami on Friday, and according to manager Clayton McCullough, he will throw a pitch design either Sunday or Monday. McCullough was asked whether there was a possibility Pérez's next time on the mound would be for the Marlins.
"There's a definite possibility that could be the case," McCullough said.
Pérez was initially expected back in late July at the earliest, in line with a typical eight-week estimated recovery period for similar injuries. In 12 starts for the Marlins this season, Pérez is 3-6 with a 4.60 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 62 2/3 innings.
"He came out of it great, threw very well, got a fourth up, just around 50 pitches," McCullough said. "Eury's here with us now, and came out of that feeling very strong. ... We'll decide the next course there just based on how he continues to respond and feel physically, as well as how he feels come out of that pitch design, but very encouraging with how he was able to throw yesterday."