Sanchez (finger) felt good during Thursday's bullpen session, and he's in line to start Saturday against Philadelphia, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sanchez has been on the disabled list for nearly two months while dealing with an injured finger on his throwing hand. Although the Blue Jays haven't confirmed him as Sunday's pitcher just yet, he's expected to toe the rubber for the series finale. Sanchez owns a 4.52 ERA and 1.51 WHIP with 67 strikeouts over 79.2 frames this season.

Sanchez (finger) is scheduled to throw a side session Thursday, Mike Wilner of Sportsnet 590 The Fan reports.

EDGE Analysis

Despite his unremarkable line (three earned runs on six hits and four walks in 4.1 innings), Sanchez said he felt no pain during his most recent minor-league rehab start, bringing him one step closer to rejoining the big-league rotation. If all goes well Thursday, Sanchez should be cleared to start against the Phillies on Saturday. He's been on the shelf since June 23 with a bruised right index finger.

Sanchez (finger) gave up four runs (three earned) on six hits and four walks while striking out four in 4.1 innings during Monday's rehab start for Double-A New Hampshire.

EDGE Analysis

Prior to the start, Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said that if Sanchez pitches well, throws a good number of pitches and feels fine, he'd be good to go for Saturday's start against the Phillies, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. This outing certainly doesn't look good on paper, so perhaps Sanchez will be asked to make another rehab start before slotting into the big-league rotation. We should learn more in the coming days.

Sanchez (finger) will make a rehab start for Double-A New Hampshire on Monday, Mike Wilner of Sportsnet 590 The Fan reports.

EDGE Analysis

If all goes well, the righty is expected to return Saturday against the Phillies, Wilner adds. That would leave him missing just over two months with a bruised right index finger.

The Blue Jays transferred Sanchez (finger) to the 60-day disabled list Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

The transaction is merely a procedural move that opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for reliever Justin Shafer, whose contract was purchased from Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday. Sanchez has been sidelined since June 21 with a bruised finger on his right hand and was already on track to miss more than 60 days. The 26-year-old is currently on a minor-league rehab assignment, with his most recent outing coming Wednesday at High-A Dunedin.

Sanchez (finger) made his second rehab start Wednesday at High-A Dunedin, covering 3.2 innings and giving up one run on two hits and four walks while striking out three.

EDGE Analysis

Sanchez built up to 75 pitches in the start, but threw just 35 strikes in the outing. Though that workload suggests Sanchez is nearly ready to slot back into the Toronto rotation, the Blue Jays may want to see him make at least one more start in the minors while exhibiting better control. Sanchez has been on the disabled list since June 23 with a right index finger contusion.

Sanchez (finger) will make a rehab start for the GCL Blue Jays on Thursday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sanchez is scheduled to throw about 60 pitches. He's expected to need two or three rehab appearances before returning to Toronto. Assuming those outings come on standard rest, he could be lined up to start Aug. 19 against the Yankees or Aug. 24 against the Phillies.

Sanchez (finger) will take the mound to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sanchez recently shuttled to Toronto's spring training facility in Florida to continue a throwing progression and will now make his first trip back to the mound since suffering this injury over a month ago. The right-hander still has a ways to go on his recovery, but this is a key step in the right direction. Look for him to start facing live hitting in the near future if all goes well during Saturday's session.

Sanchez (finger) traveled to the Blue Jays' spring training facility in Dunedin, Fla. over the All-Star break to continue his throwing progression, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sanchez has been playing long toss for a few weeks now, but there hasn't been any confirmation yet that he has been able to get back on a mound. That could happen at some point this week, but even if it does, Sanchez would still have several more hurdles to clear in his recovery from the right middle finger contusion before the Blue Jays would bring him off the 10-day disabled list. After he's cleared for mound work, Sanchez would then have to face hitters in live batting practice before building up his arm with one or two simulated games or minor-league rehab outings. It thus appears unlikely that he'll be ready for activation before at least early August.

Sanchez (finger) is expected to resume throwing off a mound at some point this week, Mike Wilner of Sportsnet 590 The Fan reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sanchez completed long toss off flat ground Tuesday and Wednesday without incident, setting the stage for him to take the next step forward in the rehab process. If the right-hander is able to complete a bullpen session over the weekend, he could be cleared to pitch in a minor-league rehab game or simulated game over the All-Star break and return from the 10-day disabled list shortly after the second half opens.