LHP David Price (elbow strain) nearing return to Boston Red Sox rotation

MINNEAPOLIS -- Left-hander David Price of the Boston Red Sox is close to returning to the mound as he tries to come back from a left elbow strain.

Manager John Farrell said Price, who has not pitched for the Red Sox this season, is going to pitch another simulated game on Tuesday and could be ready to begin a minor league rehab assignment next weekend.

"The fact is, he's going through this build-up along with the work that he's done with the medical staff," Farrell said. "So it felt like the structure that's provided here, this is volume building at this point, and best-suited to be done here."

The 31-year-old Price, who was 17-9 with a 3.99 ERA last season in his first year of a seven-year, $217-million contract, will pitch four innings in his next simulated game and could go four innings in his first rehab start as he builds arm strength.

Price will need at least three rehab starts, setting him up for a return to the Red Sox rotation before the end of May.

"From the mindset that he's generating to be in full uniform, I mean, he's taking it as a game day," Farrell said of the simulated games. "And the adrenaline builds with that, so his work days have been very good."