Cashner takes step forward by playing catch

SAN DIEGO -- It wasn't nearly as good as standing on a mound again, but pitcher Andrew Cashner took a notable step forward in his recovery from elbow soreness on Saturday when he played catch.

Cashner, who landed on the disabled list May 16 with soreness in his right elbow, played catch from 60 feet and then moved back past 90 feet. San Diego manager Bud Black said that if all goes well, and if Cashner feels fine Sunday, he will likely do the same in the coming days as he works his way back toward the active roster.

Cashner, who ranked eighth in the National League with a 2.35 ERA at the time of the injury, had an MRI on Monday that confirmed the original diagnosis. The team released a statement that said that Cashner would take the rest and rehabilitation path. At the time he was placed on the disabled list, Cashner was upbeat and optimistic at the time that this setback wasn't anything catastrophic.

"I think it just has some inflammation in it," he said. "Hopefully it's not more than 15 days. I think there was some extra soreness this time, but I'm not worried at all about my ligament. I have been cutting my fastball loose with no pain."