Live BP session goes well for Vogelsong

SAN FRANCISCO -- Ryan Vogelsong's next checkpoint on his road to physical recovery could be appearing in an Arizona League game Tuesday, which might put the right-hander on course to resume pitching for the Giants on Aug. 9 or 10, manager Bruce Bochy said.

Bochy spoke Saturday after watching Vogelsong throw 35 pitches of batting practice to outfielder Gregor Blanco and coaches Roberto Kelly and Shawon Dunston. Vogelsong warmed up for that session by tossing 40 pitches in the bullpen, hiking his total to 75. Bochy said that the Giants want Vogelsong to build enough stamina to throw 80 to 85 pitches before they'll consider activating him from the disabled list.

Bochy said that Vogelsong might follow the Arizona League stint by pitching an injury rehabilitation game for Class A San Jose. Bochy reiterated that Vogelsong likely will travel with the Giants to Washington, D.C., on July 28 for their White House visit the next day, then would pitch a game or two for Double-A Richmond.

After that, barring setbacks, Vogelsong might be ready to be reinstated from the DL, where he was assigned after fracturing the pinkie on his throwing hand May 20.

Vogelsong compared his throwing session to an early Spring Training bullpen stint in which regaining sharpness and building arm strength would be primary goals.

"I took out of it what I wanted to," said Vogelsong, San Francisco's No. 5 starter before being injured. "I came out of it healthy and I was able to work on my pitches."