HOUSTON -- Astros reliever Will Harris will not return from the 10-day disabled list when he is eligible, but his rehab throwing program will begin soon, the 2016 All-Star right-hander said on Wednesday.
Harris, who is on the DL retroactive to July 11, is set to play catch for the first time since being sidelined for a bone bruise in his throwing shoulder. The right-hander is expected to begin playing catch as soon as Friday -- the first day Harris is eligible to be activated -- when the Astros begin a three-game series in Baltimore.
Harris said on Wednesday he's close to returning, given that he hasn't felt any additional pain or discomfort in recent days.
"That's kind of been the issue here, I don't feel it at all," Harris said. "It's only been throwing the ball, and trying to throw the ball with some effort, that's causing my problems. We'll see where it's at in the coming days, but yeah, I feel great."
Harris (2.86 ERA in 34 2/3 innings) will eventually progress into throwing a bullpen session before returning to MLB action as one of the Astros' most trusted relievers.
"It should be quick for him to get from playing catch to bullpen [session] to potentially a game," said Astros manager A.J. Hinch. "Obviously, that's going to go a little bit further than the seven to 10 days that he was expected to be out. But we're just being conservative with his throwing program. We think it'll be quick once he plays catch."