CHICAGO -- Rockies right-hander Jon Gray will make an injury rehab start Wednesday for Class A Lancaster -- his next stride in his recovery from a navicular stress fracture in his left foot.
Rockies pitching coach Steve Foster said Gray threw a three-inning, 45-pitch simulated game Friday at Lancaster, and will "go four [innings] and 60 [pitches], and will be ready for five and 75 after that -- the normal progression."
What isn't determined is if he will pitch a third injury rehab start. Gray has said he wants to do two while manager Bud Black has said three are possible. Foster said Saturday that the Rockies will determine after the second start if he'll need a six-inning, 90-pitch start before returning.
Gray had no record and a 4.38 ERA in three starts -- including Opening Day at Milwaukee -- before suffering the injury while leaping for a fielding play April 12 at San Francisco. Last year, Gray went 10-10 with a 4.61 ERA and set a Rockies rookie record with 185 strikeouts.
Foster said during Friday's simulated game, Gray's "velocity was there; command was OK. Everything went well."
Gray also will have fielding drills, and is starting to take batting practice in Lancaster.