Hellickson positive following throwing session

ST. PETERSBURG -- Jeremy Hellickson, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow prior to Spring Training, threw his third bullpen session on Tuesday and declared his elbow "felt great."

"I'm taking it one day, one bullpen at a time," said Hellickson, who plans to throw another bullpen on Wednesday.

"I think tomorrow might be my last bullpen. I'll see how I feel on Wednesday and we'll go from there."

If all goes well, Hellickson could be back in the starting rotation by July, if not before then.

"It's hard to say," the 26-year-old right-hander said. "I don't know what the next step will be. I just keep rehabbing and keep treating it."

Hellickson struggled last season, going 12-10 with a 5.17 ERA.