MIAMI -- Right-handed starters Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija continued progress toward returning from the disabled list with bullpen sessions Monday prior to the Giants opening a four-game series with Miami at Marlins Park.
"Both looked good," said manager Bruce Bochy. "Next move with Samardzija, I think we can start a rehab for him at the end of the week. Don't know whether it could be Thursday or Friday. So that's good news. He feels good."
Samardzija, who threw 40 pitches in his bullpen session Monday, hasn't pitched in a game since leaving a May 29 outing at Colorado after just one inning with right shoulder tightness. He was placed on the 10-day DL a day later.
Bochy indicated Samardzija would be scheduled for perhaps a couple of rehab starts.
"Yeah, I think in the first start we can start him up to around 60 pitches," Bochy said. "So it could be one, but there's a good chance to be two [rehab starts]. We'll see how he comes out of it."
Samardzija is 1-4 with a 6.56 ERA this season.
Cueto said he felt on course with his Monday bullpen session.
"Everything's good," said Cueto, who went on the 10-day DL on May 1 before being transferred to the 60-day DL on May 10 with right elbow inflammation. He threw 45 pitches in his second bullpen session, all fastballs.
"Today I threw harder," Cueto said. "I felt more like if I was warming up for a game."
Bochy said he was encouraged by the outing.
"Johnny, the plan for him is to take one more 'pen and then he can throw to hitters maybe Saturday," he said. "Both of them on their way, that's great news. Both of them felt great today."
Cueto is targeted to return later this month.
"It all depends on how I feel day to day," Cueto said. "Once I throw live BP, then it depends on how I feel after that, and then I'll have a better idea of what the plan is."
Prior to his injury, Cueto was off to a sizzling start to the 2018 season, posting a 3-0 record with a 0.84 ERA over five starts and 32 innings.