Cobb throws second bullpen after concussion

ST. PETERBURG -- Rays right-hander Alex Cobb continued to make progress on Monday, when he threw his second bullpen session after sustaining a concussion from being struck with a line drive on June 15.

Cobb threw 47 pitches on Monday after throwing 27 in his first bullpen session on Friday. He is scheduled to throw another on Thursday.

"The way I feel off the field versus the last time I threw a bullpen is 10 times better," Cobb said. "There isn't a huge difference on the mound. I felt good enough last time, even when I didn't feel great off the field. That's a good sign. Pitching isn't as taxing on my head as I thought it would be."

Cobb struggled with vertigo because of fluid trapped in his inner ear, but it continues to decrease daily. He is well ahead of the pace Tampa Bay's training staff originally mapped out for him.

"I think most of the symptoms are gone," Cobb said. "I still experience a little vertigo randomly, but you can't even compare how much better I am from where I was."

The training staff has not given Cobb a timeline for when he might be able to appear in a game, but Cobb is eyeing an August return.

After Thursday's bullpen session, Cobb will face live hitters throwing from behind a screen.

"I'm extremely anxious to get out there and face hitters," he said. "There is no concern in my mind right now that I'll be worried. I would like to get out there as soon as possible."

Cobb is 6-2 with a 3.01 ERA in 13 starts.