On the disabled list since June 4, injured Minnesota Twins pitcher Carl Pavano continues to remain weeks from returning to the rotation, but is scheduled to take part in a pair of long-toss sessions later this week. And according to the Pioneer Press' Ben Goessling, the veteran pitcher could starting working from a mound later in the weekend if he is pain-free:
Carl Pavano will throw off a mound on Sunday if a pair of long-toss sessions go well this week. #MNTwins
— Ben Goessling (@BenGoesslingPP) July 17, 2012
The 36-year-old right-hander labored through 63 innings before his shoulder forced him to the sidelines more than a month ago, and it's hard to imagine he'll be able to return to the mound and just effortlessly start to whittle down his massive 6.00 ERA.
While Pavano has been on the shelf, the Twins have wasted little time ushering in a new era of their rotation as a number of new faces have taken on predominant roles. Though he is a proven arm and clearly commands a larger contract than some of his potential competitors, Pavano will still need to prove that he's fully over his shoulder problems if he wants to make an impact again this season.
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