Paxton set for two more rehab starts before return

ANAHEIM -- Left-hander James Paxton completed a 40-pitch bullpen workout Saturday at Angel Stadium, and reported all is going well in his comeback from a late-spring lat strain.

"I'm feeling great," said Paxton, who made his second rehab start Thursday, working 2 2/3 innings for Short Season Everett. "The bullpen went great, so we're looking forward."

He said he's scheduled to throw 60 pitches Tuesday in his next rehab start, for Triple-A Tacoma. Paxton, 25, is expected to make at least one more rehab start after that one before possibly rejoining the Mariners rotation.

Now that he's physically fine, Paxton said, his next goals "are to execute my stuff in a competitive situation, throw more strikes with my offspeed pitches, and hit my spots better."