Crain 'OK' day after first bullpen session

CHICAGO -- A 33-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday for Jesse Crain, marking the first time he has thrown off the mound since experiencing a right shoulder strain and going on the disabled list retroactive to June 30, left the right-hander feeling OK on Wednesday.

"That's the best way I can explain it. I felt OK," Crain said. "Just a day-by-day thing. That's the only way I can take it ... see how I feel each day and go from there."

Crain let loose a little bit in the bullpen session but to throw in a game or even a simulated game, he would want to throw a harder than the first one. The plan for Thursday is to play catch and if he feels good, then throw off the mound.

As a free agent after this current campaign, Crain would be a likely trade candidate if healthy, especially considering his All-Star season. With the pain still there in his shoulder, Crain isn't worrying about trades as much as getting healthy.

"It's similar to what I've been going through the whole time. I don't know exactly how I would have felt throwing today," Crain said. "I think it's important that I don't overdo it when I'm trying to come back, so like I said, it's only day by day. I wish I had more answers, but that's the way we're taking it now."

"He's going to be the best judge of when he's feeling better to move forward and keep going and throw a little harder and longer," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "Everything's based on how he feels. It's nice to have a schedule but if he's not up for it, you adapt and move on to something else."