Jake Odorizzi Injury: Updates on Rays SP's Oblique and Return

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jake Odorizzi was placed on the 15-day disabled list on June 5 after suffering from what he described as a mild to moderate oblique strain, but he is targeting a July return.

Continue for updates.

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Odorizzi Return Date Revealed 

Wednesday, July 8

Odorizzi is scheduled to make his return from the DL on Saturday against the Houston Astros, per Roger Mooney of the the Tampa Tribune.

He threw 40 pitches on June 22, per Mooney, who later reported Odorizzi would throw another bullpen session, followed by a rehab start.

"Everything's on schedule, just how I kind of had it drawn up in my head," said Odorizzi on June 15, courtesy of the Tampa Bay Times' Joey Knight, who provided more from Odorizzi:

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I passed some tests (sock tossing) that allowed me to do some stuff (Saturday) and then I felt good from it (Sunday), so I was able to take the next step and actually throw a ball outside of a sock. It's encouraging. They said everything's progressing where I thought it was going to be, so that's nice to see.

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After leaving the game on June 5, Odorizzi told ESPN.com, "Just that last pitch. It just tightened up, grabbed me. That was it. You never felt something like that before. It's kind of startling. But it let go."

Despite his 4-5 record, Odorizzi has a 2.47 ERA with 63 strikeouts in 76.2 innings pitched.