CINCINNATI -- Reds manager Bryan Price watched Scott Feldman throw a side bullpen session Wednesday afternoon, but in a rarity for a pitcher, it mattered less how Feldman threw than how he ran in a series of drills.
Feldman, who has been on the 10-day disabled list since July 18 because of right knee inflammation, could return to start vs. the Brewers on Saturday. Before he's activated, his leg must pass the test of agility, fielding and running drills. Those were also done Wednesday.
"I hope I feel good tomorrow. I felt good today," Feldman said. "I did all the stuff they wanted me to do. Hopefully it responds well and is good to go."
If Feldman can't start, the Reds will go with Tim Adleman against Milwaukee.
Price's review of Feldman's running wasn't overwhelmingly positive. But the baseline the team is looking for is satisfactory.
"I'm not going to say he looked good. He looked like he's capable," Price said. "I'm not putting it out there and saying this guy's 100 percent, because he's not.
"What Scott will do will probably look like it's less than 100 percent, but something that he's able to do within the limitations of the knee issue. We just have to get over the hurdle that we're comfortable with him being out in competition with those limitations."
If Feldman's knee still feels good Thursday, the medical staff will determine if he can be cleared to come off the DL.
"If not, then we'd reset it five days from Saturday and see if we can have him ready by then," Price said. "We can't constantly spend the next seven weeks chasing a start date. At some point, we would have to identify that it's not worth pursuing and look more at what's going to have him ready for 2018. Right now, he's moving around better than anticipated and there's a chance he can pitch either on Saturday or the following time through the rotation."
Worth noting
In a Wednesday transaction, the Reds claimed right-handed starting pitcher Luke Farrell off waivers and optioned him to Triple-A Louisville. To make room on the 40-man roster, outfielder Scott Van Slyke was designated for assignment. On July 31 at the non-waivers Trade Deadline, Van Slyke was one of two Minor Leaguers the Reds acquired from the Dodgers for reliever Tony Cingrani.
Farrell, who is the son of Red Sox manager John Farrell, began 2017 in the Royals organization at Triple-A Omaha and was 7-4 with a 4.07 ERA in 17 games, including 16 starts. He was designated for assignment on July 24 and traded to the Dodgers on July 28. Farrell pitched one game for Oklahoma City on Sunday and gave up three runs (two earned) and four hits over 4 2/3 innings.