HOUSTON -- Shelby Miller's return is in the works despite his 15-day disabled list stint for a sprained right index finger starting just five days ago.
According to manager Chip Hale, Miller threw a side session on Wednesday and will pitch in an extended Spring Training game this weekend.
"It was a fairly lengthy one, and he's going to get in a game on Saturday," Hale said. "We want to see exactly where he's at."
The early indicators are positive. Hale said Miller was "pretty consistent" while working on the same issues that, in addition to the finger injury, plagued him during a rough start to the season.
Miller piled up a 7.09 ERA over 45 2/3 innings in 10 starts, with the D-backs going 3-7 in his outings. The team finally placed him on the 15-day DL last Friday, a move perceived to be as much about giving Miller a mental break as a physical one.
The team said Miller injured the finger by scraping it on the pitcher's mound while following through on his delivery against San Diego on April 16. He lasted only 1 2/3 innings that day, and the right-hander made seven more starts after that game.
Arizona could target a return late next week for Miller, perhaps as soon as the home series against the Marlins from June 10-12.
Worth noting
• D-backs outfielder Yasmany Tomas wasn't in the starting lineup for Thursday's 3-0 win over the Astros with a sore left knee. Hale said Tomas tweaked the knee during the ninth inning of Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Astros. With a day game after a night game, it made sense for Tomás to rest the knee, which also bothered him during Spring Training.
• Hale said hitting coach Dave Magadan was feeling "slightly better" on Thursday and will rejoin the team in Chicago on Friday, as expected. Magadan missed this two-game sojourn to Houston with an undisclosed illness.