Price tests sore elbow ahead of schedule

Red Sox left-hander David Price was ahead of schedule for the first step in his recovery from a sore elbow, throwing into a net in a batting cage.

Manager John Farrell said Price made 25 easy tosses Saturday before a Red Sox split squad played the Tampa Bay Rays.

“The range of motion, the freeness to the movement is all positive,” Farrell said. “It was just throwing into the net, just to get his arm moving — a little bit ahead of what we laid out yesterday. But that’s based on how he feels and the positivity towards it.”

Price is still a ways away from pitching off a mound.

“All of the early phase of throwing is going to be short distance, controlled effort and energy. So, we’re not even mapping out distances right now,” Farrell said. “We’re more interested in seeing how his arm responds to even the light volume as of today.”

Entering the second year of a $217 million, seven-year contract, Price reported elbow soreness the day after a two-inning, 38-pitch simulated game on Feb. 28. He met with Drs. James Andrews and Neal ElAttrache on March 3.

Boston said Price did not need surgery or an injection and should rest for about 10 days.

“I’m not really focused on any kind of timeline,” Farrell said. “He’s going to be out there when first ready, first available. But there’s still work to do. The biggest key for us is going to be when he gets to the point of aggressive long toss and getting on the mound. That’s where the more extension in the arm is going to come into play. That will be a big phase in the return.”

Alvarez would get a $2 million, one-year contract if added to the 40-man roster and would have the chance to earn $3.5 million in performance bonuses based on plate appearances: $250,000 each for 200, 250, 300 and 350; and $500,000 apiece for 400, 450, 500, 550 and 600. TWINS 13, RED SOX (SS) 0 >> Minnesota general manager Thad Levine announced right-hander Trevor May, who was competing for the fifth spot in the rotation, has a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow. May plants to seek a second opinion before deciding whether to have Tommy John surgery.

Miguel Sano hit a tworun triple in a first that includes RBI doubles by Byung Ho Park and Jorge Polanco. Twins starter Kyle Gibson struck out four and allowed four hits in five scoreless innings.

Red Sox starter Henry Owens was roughed up for six runs, five hits and four walks in 2 1/3 innings. YANKEES 7, TIGERS 1 >> Masahiro Tanaka seven batters in four perfect innings including his first six hitters and has not given up a run in three spring training appearances. Gary Sanchez hit a wind-aided two-run homer, Matt Holliday had a three-run drive and prospect Gleyber Torres added a solo homer.

Tigers starter Daniel Norris gave up two runs, three hits and a walk in 3 2/3 innings. NATIONALS 6, METS 0 >> Washington starting prospect Erick Fedde allowed a hit in three scoreless innings, and Jeremy Guthrie had three strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings of relief.

Steven Matz gave up an unearned run and three hits over three innings.