Friedrich (elbow, side) is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A San Antonio this week, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Friedrich has been on the disabled list for the entirety of the 2017 campaign with lat and elbow issues. The Padres will likely take it easy with the veteran pitcher, but if everything goes smoothly Friedrich could potentially return to major-league action in the coming weeks.

Friedrich (elbow, side) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

It appears Friedrich's elbow injury is a bit more serious than initially anticipated, as he will now be out for a good portion of the next couple months. The southpaw has yet to pitch after beginning the season on the 10-day DL with a lat strain, but began dealing with elbow tenderness during his recovery period. The good news here is that a recent checkup showed no tendon damage, so Friedrich may be able to avoid surgery as he works his way back. A firmer timetable should become available within the coming weeks.

Friedrich (side) had his elbow examined by doctors Friday but had no tendon damage present, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

No one expected there to be any ligament or tendon damage, but this gives the left-hander the official vote of confidence on his elbow. Friedrich's next step appears to be returning to Arizona to begin throwing again, after which a firmer timetable should become available.

Manager Andy Green said Friedrich has tenderness in his elbow and will be evaluated by a doctor, A.J. Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Padres don't believe the injury is ligament related, but they're sending him to get it checked out as a precaution. Friedrich is on the 10-day DL, but he remains without a firm timetable. More should be known about his status after he is evaluated.

Friedrich (side) has been placed on the 10-day disabled list to begin the season, Bill Center of Padres.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Friedrich was shut down with a lat strain last week, ultimately forcing him to open the season on the DL while he continues to recover. Although the Padres don't believe the injury to be overly serious, the 29-year-old remains without a timetable as he is still shut down from throwing.

Friedrich will begin the season on the disabled list with a lat strain, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Padres had announced that Friedrich wouldn't make the Opening Day roster, as they'd recently shut him down from participating in baseball activities. Friedrich has struggled during limited action this spring. Over three games (7.1 innings) he allowed nine runs (eight earned) off a walk and 10 hits, two of which were home runs.

Freidrich has been shut down for 1-2 weeks with a mild lat strain and won't make the Opening Day roster, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander was battling for a starting pitcher job Friedrich carried a 4.80 ERA in 24 outings (23 starts) with San Diego last year but now must participate in rehab to find out what his next step will be with the organization. San Diego is now down to Trevor Cahill, Jarrett Cosart and Luis Perdomo for its final two rotation spots to start the year.

Friedrich has been scratched from a bullpen session Sunday with "general soreness" in his arm, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

With the vague diagnosis, it's difficult to gauge just how serious this missed bullpen session is. Until more news becomes available, Friedrich will be considered as day-to-day.

Friedrich pitched three scoreless innings in Friday's win over the Dodgers. He struck out three and walked none.

EDGE Analysis

This was a huge step in the right direction for the veteran southpaw, after surrendering eight runs in his previous two Cactus League outings. Manager Andy Green noticed his pitcher's struggles this spring, stating that Friedrich "hasn't felt like himself." The Padres' skipper also added that "[Friedrich] looked a little bit sharper today." Friedrich is currently competing for one of San Diego's final rotation spots, and he will need more outings like Friday's in order for the club to consider him as a serious option.

Friedrich -- who is competing for a spot in the starting rotation -- could be used in the bullpen if he doesn't make it as a starter, AJ Casavell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Friedrich got a long look as a starter last season and didn't do much with his opportunity, posting a 4.80 ERA with a 1.92 K/BB ratio. While the numbers weren't pretty, he does have have the advantage of being a southpaw in the competition for rotation spots. If he does make it as a starter, he would only garner very deep or NL-only value.