Eovaldi (elbow, rib) threw a bullpen session at Tropicana Field without setbacks Tuesday and will make his next rehab start with Triple-A Durham on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

It remains to be seen if the Friday outing will be Eovaldi's final rehab appearance, or if he'll take the mound at the minor-league level one final time before heading to the big-league club. Eovaldi third rehab appearance was originally scheduled for Tuesday, but that was postponed due to a rib strain.

Eovaldi (elbow, rib) will throw a bullpen session at extended spring training Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Eovaldi, who has been sidelined all season after undergoing arthroscopic right elbow surgery at the end of March, was scratched from his upcoming rehab start with Triple-A Durham after suffering a strained rib muscle. Despite the setback, however, the Rays are optimistic he could still return before June if he makes just one rehab start instead of two. He'll need to get through Tuesday's bullpen session without any setbacks first.

Eovaldi (elbow) suffered a strained right rib muscle, delaying his rehab start from Tuesday to an unknown date, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's the latest in a long run of bad luck for Eovaldi. After missing the entire 2017 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, he was forced to undergo another surgery on the eve of the season to remove loose bodies in his right elbow. He was expected to rejoin the Rays in late May but will now be sidelined for another undetermined amount of time.

Eovaldi (elbow) is slated to make the third of his four scheduled rehab starts for Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The news is particularly notable from the standpoint that Eovaldi will see a jump in quality of competition from High-A ball, where he logged his first pair of rehab appearances. The veteran fireballer worked up to 32 pitches in his most recent outing, allowing an earned run on two hits over two innings against Fort Myers.

Eovaldi allowed an earned run on two hits over two innings against Fort Myers in his second rehab start for High-A Charlotte on Wednesday. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Eovaldi worked up to 32 pitches overall, 22 of which he threw for strikes, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports. The hard-throwing right-hander's one major blemish was the solo home run he allowed to Fort Myers' Taylor Grzelakowski, but otherwise, it appeared to be another positive step in his recovery from surgery to repair loose bodies in his elbow. Eovaldi has set May 24 as a potential return date, a timeline that would presumably afford him at least two more rehab outings at the minor-league level.

Eovaldi (elbow) is targeting May 24 for his return from the 10-day disabled list, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

After tossing 17 pitches in his first rehab outing for High-A Charlotte on May 4, Eovaldi will return to the mound for the club Wednesday and is expected to bump up his pitch counting. It will mark the second of four planned rehab outings for Eovaldi, who will likely make his final two starts at Triple-A Durham before filling the final vacancy in the Rays' four-man rotation. The Rays have reportedly been encouraged by Eovaldi's velocity during bullpen sessions and his first rehab start, so it would seem that he has recovered as anticipated after undergoing surgery March 30 to remove cartilage pieces from his right elbow.

Eovaldi (elbow) fired 17 pitches -- 13 for strikes -- in his first rehab outing with High-A Charlotte on Friday night, allowing a run on two hits over one inning against Bradenton.

EDGE Analysis

It was a solid first step for Eovaldi, who got his work in without any apparent setbacks. Manager Kevin Cash was clear about what he envisions as the next steps for the hard-throwing veteran, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports. "He'll get on a five-man rotation," Cash said. "He'll throw a bullpen. And then the next time a two [innings] and 35 [pitches] session, whatever comes first."

Eovaldi (elbow) will start a rehab assignment with High-A Charlotte on Friday, Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Eovaldi continues to recover from arthroscopic right elbow surgery that he underwent in late March, as he targets a return to Tampa Bay around the end of this month. The 28-year-old recently hit 99 mph during a live bullpen session earlier this week and has experienced no discomfort in the elbow since beginning a throwing program in mid-April.

Eovaldi touched 99 mph in a live bullpen session, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Eovaldi is looking good while rehabbing from late-March arthroscopic elbow surgery. He's targeting a late-May return and remains ahead of his original timetable. The Rays could certainly use him, as the back of their rotation looks shaky even after cutting down to a four-man setup.

Eovaldi (elbow) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander seems to be ahead of his original 8-10 week timetable for return. As long as he doesn't hit any roadblocks in his recovery, Eovaldi is aiming for a late-May return, but there's a chance he could return even sooner if he continues to overachieve in his rehab program.