Paxton (pectoral) threw 40 pitches in a simulated game Friday and said afterward that he expects to start next week against the Rangers, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Having made it through his sim game pain-free, Paxton now faces just one final hurdle -- a standard side session -- on his road back from a pectoral strain. He will likely be on a relatively strict pitch count in his first few starts back, but Paxton has been dominant when on the mound this season and most owners will want to deploy him right away.