Nance is moving closer to a return after another encouraging step in his recovery from a forearm injury. According to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca, he threw live batting practice on Tuesday, a sign that his rehab is advancing well after he was cleared to begin throwing off a mound last Thursday. Facing live hitters is often one of the final stages before a pitcher is ready to begin game action, making this a notable milestone in his comeback process.
Nance is now expected to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo on Friday. That assignment will give the team a better opportunity to evaluate how his arm responds in a competitive setting and whether he can handle a normal workload without setbacks. If all goes well during that stint, a return from the injured list could follow soon afterward.
The update suggests Nance has made steady progress since first ramping up his throwing program. Moving from flat-ground work to mound sessions and then to live batting practice usually indicates that a pitcher is responding positively to treatment and building back toward full strength. For teams and fantasy managers alike, the latest development is an encouraging sign that his absence may be nearing an end.
While no exact timeline has been confirmed for his activation, the expected rehab appearance with Buffalo points to an imminent transition back toward major-league availability. How many outings he will need before being cleared to return will likely depend on how he recovers between appearances, whether his velocity and command remain stable, and whether the forearm issue remains symptom-free.
The timing is especially important for a pitcher coming off a forearm injury, since organizations often proceed cautiously to avoid any re-aggravation. Rehab assignments are designed to test not only performance, but also durability, workload tolerance, and the ability to compete in back-to-back situations if needed. Nance’s progress through the standard return-to-play stages is a positive indication that those checkpoints are being met.
For now, the key takeaway is that Nance is trending in the right direction and could rejoin the active roster shortly after his Triple-A rehab stint begins. His return would provide the team with another healthy arm and strengthen the pitching mix as the season continues.
