KANSAS CITY -- Royals left-hander Mike Minor threw a live batting practice session prior to Tuesday's game against the Indians at Kauffman Stadium.
Minor, who experienced a setback (shoulder fatigue) while on a rehab assignment in May, threw two 18-pitch sessions.
"He looked really good," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "I saw all I needed to see."
Yost said it is possible that Minor, signed to a two-year deal last offseason after missing 2015 with labrum surgery, could go out on rehab within a week or so after he completes a simulated game.
"That's what we're trying to determine, to see if he's ready to go back out," Yost said. "He sure looked good enough to me. We'll meet with [trainer] Nick [Kenney] here soon to determine that."
Minor gave the sessions a so-so grade.
"Everything was working, but it was kind of inconsistent," Minor said. "I feel like everything needs to be worked on. The most feel I have right now is with a changeup. It was my third live BP so I can't expect to be lights out.
"The next step is going to be a sim game. Then rehab assignment."
It's Go Time
Yost said the next two weeks leading up to the Aug. 1 non-waiver Trade Deadline are very important to project the team's fortunes for 2016.
"It's 'Go Time' to me," Yost said. "It's like mid-September. It's time to get moving as we get [near the Deadline]."