Hellickson, Hanigan, Guyer on the mend

ST. PETERSBURG -- The news is good on several injured Rays.

For starters, there's Jeremy Hellickson, who made his first rehab start pitching for Class A Advanced Charlotte on Saturday night. The right-hander held the Tampa Yankees scoreless for three innings.

"I got my work in, threw everything, came out good," Hellickson said. "Felt good today, too.

"It's taken some time to get to where I'm at. But I'm very happy with how things are going and how I'm feeling."

Hellickson, coming back from offseason right elbow surgery, is scheduled to throw a bullpen Monday.

The Rays will "probably tell me tomorrow after my bullpen," said Hellickson when asked about his rehab schedule. "See how that goes. I think I'll only have two more [rehab starts]. But I don't know where they'll be. I'll know more after the bullpen."

Ryan Hanigan (right hamstring tightness) caught Hellickson during Saturday night's game.

"Good to just get back out there, get a chance to sweat," Hanigan said. "Get a chance to work. Get back in baseball shape. I felt pretty good. Saw some pitches. Keep at it for the next couple of days, and I'll be ready to roll."

Hanigan is eligible to return to the team on Tuesday and said he sees no reason he can't be activated that day.

"As long as the team's on board, I feel pretty good, if I don't have any setbacks, any problems, leg feels good," Hanigan said. "I would imagine that will happen, yeah."

Outfielder Brandon Guyer (left thumb fracture) will have his cast removed on Monday by hand specialist Dr. Douglas Carlan. X-rays will be taken at that time.

"If it's healed, I don't have to put it back in a cast," Guyer said. "Then I can begin my rehab. It's feeling good."