David Price injury: Rays ace to begin rehab assignment Friday

The Tampa Bay Rays received good news Wednesday as ace pitcher David Price will begin a minor league rehab assignment with Class A Charlotte on Friday, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.

Rays' manager Joe Maddon said that Price will have neither a set innings limit nor a certain number of rehab starts. Maddon does expect Price to return by the All-Star break, which begins July 15.

Price, 27, was placed on the disabled list May 16 due to a left triceps strain. This has been the left hander's first DL stint of his career. He had been struggling this season prior to the injury with a 5.24 ERA and 1.436 WHIP over his first nine starts.

Tampa Bay could use a healthy Price returning to his 2012 form, when he won the American League Cy Young award. Over the past month with Price on the disabled list, Rays starters have combined for a 5.14 ERA, third worst in the majors.

Price posted a 2.56 ERA with 4.8 fWAR last season, beating out Detroit Tigers starter Justin Verlander for the Cy Young by just four points.

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