Red Sox Ace David Price Inches Closer To Return

BOSTON, MA — Boston Red Sox ace David Price is inching closer to his first start of 2017. Price, who is on the disabled list, said he "felt great" after throwing 45 pitches Monday in his second bullpen session in Boston. The timetable for his return remains unclear, with at least one report indicating it may not be until the end of May.

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Price hurt his throwing elbow in spring training. His first bullpen session was Friday. Price said on Monday he threw all four types of his pitches.

The Red Sox have not announced a projected date for his return. The Sporting News reported it could be around the end of May.

The Red Sox are 11-8 on the season, good for third place in the American League East. They play the second-place New York Yankees tonight at 7:10 p.m. at Fenway Park. The Red Sox pitching staff has performed admirably in his absence, with a combined 3.57 earned run average.

Price, 31, in 2015 signed a seven-year, $217 million contract with the Red Sox. He went 17-9 in 2016 but had a rough go of it in the postseason as the Red Sox were bounced by the Cleveland Indians in the divisional round.

Photo: Boston Red Sox pitcher David Price throws batting practice in Fort Myers, Florida on February 19, 2017. (Credit: David Goldman/Associated Press)