Archie Bradley to pitch simulated game

Archie Bradley will pitch a simulated game Thursday at Salt River Fields, according to Chip Hale, manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Bradley has been on the DL with shoulder tendinitis since June 4. Hale is unsure what Bradley’s pitch count will be.

“He felt great,” Hale said. “The reports of his last couple outings on the side work have been really good. He says he’s starting to feel like he did at the start of the year, so that’s a positive.”

Bradley had a strong debut — in his first four starts, he was 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA. A line drive to the head against the Rockies on April 28 put all that on hold, and him on the 15-day DL.

After returning, he seemed to have lost the magic. Bradley made four starts, failing to get past the fifth inning while allowing a total of 19 runs in 15.2 innings. His record now is 2-3 with a 5.80 ERA.

Bradley took three days off from baseball and returned to play catch and has since thrown bullpen sessions.