DENVER -- Blue Jays left-hander Brett Cecil is nearing a return and could be back in Toronto's bullpen for the upcoming series against the Indians.
Cecil made his second -- and possibly final -- rehab appearance for Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday night. If everything goes well over the next 24 hours, Cecil could be back Thursday for the start of a four-game set vs. Cleveland.
Cecil, who turns 30 on Saturday, has been out since May 14 with a torn lat. It's the same injury that forced right-hander Gavin Floyd to the disabled list this week, but Cecil's injury was not considered as serious. Floyd might be out for the season, while Cecil's return should be closer to a six-week time frame.
"He'll join us when we get home, I would guess," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "He feels good."
Lefty Franklin Morales also is nearing a return. He was scheduled to make his second rehab appearance as well for Buffalo on Tuesday night and should not require much more time on the DL.
Morales has appeared in just two games this season because of what the club described as shoulder fatigue. In his first appearance for the Bisons on Saturday, Morales pitched a clean inning with one strikeout.
Right-handers Ryan Tepera and Bo Schultz could be in jeopardy of losing their spot on the 25-man roster when Cecil and Morales return. Both pitchers have options remaining on their contracts and appear to be lower on the depth chart than Drew Storen and Jesse Chavez.