Kelvim Escobar (shoulder) threw 30 pitches of live batting practice Thursday and is scheduled to appear in a minor league game Monday.
"He looks great," pitching coach Mike Butcher said. "I'm very happy for him and for us. He's put a lot of hard work into what you saw today. He's fought his way back to where he is now and is several months ahead of where we thought he'd be." Escobar won't be ready for Opening Day, but could begin the season on a minor league rehab assignment rather than in extended spring training, setting him up to return in May.