ST. LOUIS -- Another hurdle was cleared by Caleb Smith on Tuesday in his recovery from left hip inflammation.

Continuing his rehab process at the Marlins' complex in Jupiter, Fla., Smith threw a bullpen session, his first time off the mound since going on the 10-day injured list on June 7.

Before rejoining the Marlins’ rotation, Smith will make at least one Minor League rehab start. That could be as early as Monday, the day the Marlins have a scheduled off-day. However, it is unclear where Smith would pitch because Class A Advanced Jupiter also has a scheduled off-day. Triple-A New Orleans and Double-A Jacksonville, however, are both home that day.

“He just continues on until he’s ready to make a start somewhere down the line,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. “The ‘pen was another step along the line of progression. As long as he continues to do that, just keep moving towards a rehab start, and then be back.”

With Smith still out, the Marlins are planning to go with right-hander Elieser Hernandez in his place. Hernandez is now lined up to next start on Saturday at Philadelphia.

Although Hernandez has been charged with two losses filling Smith’s rotation spot, the 24-year-old has pitched well. He allowed two runs (one earned) over a career-high six innings in Monday’s 5-0 loss at St. Louis.

The Marlins are currently using two newcomers in their rotation in Hernandez and Jordan Yamamoto, who was promoted from Double-A Jacksonville to replace Jose Urena, who is on the 60-day injured list due to a herniated disc in his low back. Once Smith is ready to return, the Marlins might have to send down one of the two.

“We won’t rush [Smith], no matter what,” Mattingly said. “We’re going to make sure he’s ready to go. He’s just got to go through his progression, and be ready.”

Smith (3-4, 3.41 ERA) was the Marlins’ hottest starter for the first part of 2019. But in his last start before going on the injured list, his average fastball velocity dropped from 92 mph to 90 mph.

Smith is a big part of the Marlins’ core of young starters, and he is under contract through the 2023 season. The organization also has built up some starting depth -- like Hernandez and Yamamoto -- that offers them the luxury to not rush the southpaw.

“Obviously, he threw his ‘pen, and will have a rehab start, and continue to do his work in between,” Mattingly said. “We’ll go from there.”