Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Chris Archer (thumb) is scheduled to throw a simulated game on Friday, according to director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk. Barring any setbacks, Archer could be back in Pittsburgh's rotation very soon. He's 1-2 with a 4.33 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 29 strikeouts in 27 innings over his five starts this season. Archer hasn't been as good with the Pirates as hoped when they traded for him, but with better healthy he will surely be mixed league relevant for the Bucs.