Robbie Ray progresses in recovery from injury

OAKLAND – Diamondbacks lefty Robbie Ray is nearing an important hurdle in his recovery from a strained right oblique, an injury that has kept him out since the end of April.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Ray could throw a bullpen session as early as Tuesday, which would mark his first time throwing off the mound since he suffered the injury on April 29 in Washington.

Lovullo said Ray will undergo an MRI on Tuesday to ensure the injury has healed as much they think. If that goes well, Lovullo said he could throw a bullpen later that afternoon.

Lovullo didn’t provide a timeline on when Ray would return, but if all goes well it could be in the next few weeks.

It’s likely Ray will throw at least a couple of bullpens, probably with a few days in between, before facing hitters in live batting practice or a simulated game setting. He’d then probably need one or more rehab starts in the minor leagues.

That’ll do it

Kris Medlen’s start with the Diamondbacks earlier this month apparently will be his last in the majors. Medlen has informed the organization he is retiring.

Medlen was hit hard by the Houston Astros on May 4, giving up seven runs in four innings. He was sent back to Triple-A Reno after the outing and made three starts there before retiring last week.

Medlen, 32, who had two Tommy John surgeries in his career, finished with a 3.33 ERA in 599 1/3 innings over parts of eight seasons.

Home cooking?

After finishing a 1-8 road trip, the Diamondbacks are hoping a return home could change their fortunes. While they’re just 14-12 at Chase Field this year, perhaps the most encouraging development is the schedule: They’ll be facing the Reds and Marlins on the upcoming homestand, the teams with the two worst records in the National League.

That said, the Reds have been playing a little better of late, a point righthander Zack Greinke made after Sunday’s 2-1 loss to the Oakland Athletics.

After starting 8-27, the Reds have won 11 of their past 18 games.

“The last I looked at the Reds, they were playing better,” Greinke said. “I don’t know if they still are. That would be crappy to face them while they’re playing their best baseball. We’ll have to look at that and hopefully do good and turn it around.”

The Marlins’ improvement has been less drastic. After a 14-26 start, they’ve won five of their past 12.