Chen set to begin rehab from oblique injury in Florida

BALTIMORE -- Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen (oblique strain) will head to Sarasota, Fla., on Tuesday to get an early start on his rehab, although he isn't expected to pick up the ball for at least another week.

"I want to come back as soon as possible, but this injury I cannot push too hard," Chen said through interpreter Tim Lin. "I have to heal completely, so I don't want to rush."

Oblique injuries are tricky and Chen will start on the stationary bike with hopes of progressing to running next week. Asked if he felt Chen could pick up a baseball and start a throwing program after another week, manager Buck Showalter said the club would be "fortunate" if that happened.

"I hope that's the case," Showalter said. "You guys know the history with these things and one of those histories is if you go to quick, it's a Grade 2. There's a grade that's worse than that one and you don't want to be headed toward that one."

Chen was the Orioles' most consistent starter before hitting the disabled list, and the 27-year-old was officially placed on the DL on May 14 (retroactive to May 13) after an MRI confirmed the injury. He said Monday he is taking "baby steps" toward a return by getting treatment and allowing the area to calm down while he rests.

"He's still sore," Showalter said. "But he's doing some things as far as sleeping through the night and rolling over where it's not bothering him like it did the first couple days. I don't think there's some definitive date where we think [he will be back] ... there's just unknown on it."