ST. PETERSBURG -- As the Rays welcome the return of Tyler Glasnow to the mound on Sunday, they also received encouraging news regarding left-hander Blake Snell after his rehab start on Saturday.

Snell recorded two outs in his rehab start with Triple-A Durham on Saturday and threw 24 pitches, 12 of them landing for strikes. The left-hander’s velocity on his fastball hovered around 94 to 96 mph, and he was able to throw his curveball and changeup without issue throughout the night.

While Snell allowed one run and wasn’t able to finish his inning, the Rays walked away encouraged from what they saw out of the southpaw in his first rehab outing since undergoing arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies in his throwing elbow on July 29.

“I heard the velo was good,” Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said. “I know the command was a little spotty, [which is] to be expected when you haven’t pitched in quite some time. But the ball was coming out of his hand well, threw a couple of curveballs and changeups. The stuff played the same, so that’s the most encouraging thing.”

Cash said he’ll wait until Snell arrives in St. Petersburg on Sunday to determine what the next step will be for the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner. Snell could return to Triple-A Durham later this week in order to have a two-inning start before possibly returning to the big league club.

“Probably two to three days off and then go pitch again,” Cash said. “I’ll wait until Blake is back in town and we’ll sit down and talk with him.”

Chirinos continues to progress
Yonny Chirinos, out with right middle finger inflammation, continues to make his way back and could be another late addition to the Rays' pitching staff. Chirinos completed his second bullpen session on Sunday, throwing 30 pitches.

“Threw all of his pitches and felt really, really good,” Cash said. “He’s getting to a point where we can start talking about getting him up to Durham to probably start his one-inning process.”

Before heading to Durham for his first rehab appearances, Chirinos could throw a live batting practice session at Tropicana Field while the team is on the road. Brandon Lowe, who continues to work back from a left quad injury, is expected to be one of the players hitting against Chirinos.

Sogard remains out
Eric Sogard left Friday’s game with a right foot contusion and is not in the Rays' lineup for a second consecutive game. With a left-hander on the mound on Saturday, Sogard was expected to get a day off, but not being in the lineup on Sunday was a surprise. Cash said his toe is still sore, but the team hopes he’ll be able to return to the lineup after Monday’s off-day.

“His foot is sore where he fouled it off,” Cash said. “Hopefully get through today, the off-day and be back in there against Texas.”