Gomes feels great day after first rehab start

ST. PETERSBURG -- Rays reliever Brandon Gomes was back on the mound Monday in a rehab appearance for Class A Charlotte for the first time since straining his right lat on May 7.

Gomes started the game -- his first start since 2008 -- but threw just 11 pitches in one inning, allowing one hit and striking out one.

"I felt good, but more importantly, I feel great today," Gomes said Tuesday. "Very minimal soreness and no pain whatsoever in the lat."

Gomes will throw another inning on Thursday and plans to make a third appearance in Charlotte on Saturday, if all goes according to plan.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said he needs to see that Gomes "feels well" and that "the numbers look right on the gun" before he comes off the disabled list. Gomes is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in 11 2/3 innings this season