Andrew Bailey (thumb) tossed a scoreless inning Wednesday in his first minor league rehab appearance with Gulf Coast League Red Sox.

Bailey allowed one hit and struck out two. He's been out all season following thumb surgery in early April, so he will likely need most of his 30-day rehab window to get ready. However, he still makes for a worthwhile DL-stash for those in need of saves.

Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine has indicated that Andrew Bailey's (thumb) rehab assignment will be a lengthy one.

"It's a process," Valentine said. "Weeks. At least weeks." Bailey's rehab assignment begins Monday with the Gulf Coast League Red Sox, and he'll slowly work his way up the organizational ladder. He should join the Red Sox' bullpen in late August.

Andrew Bailey (thumb) will begin a rehab assignment Monday with the Gulf Coast League Red Sox.

Bailey is scheduled to throw one inning, and will likely need six rehab appearances before rejoining the Red Sox. When Bailey returns, it'll likely be in a setup role.

Andrew Bailey (thumb) threw 20 pitches of live batting practice Wednesday in Arlington, Texas.

Up next for Bailey is a minor league rehab assignment. He's expected to make around 6-7 appearances on the farm before joining the Red Sox bullpen in mid-August. The right-hander will serve as a setup man initially.

Andrew Bailey (thumb) will throw batting practice Wednesday and be cleared to begin a rehab assignment if it goes well.

ESPN's Tim Kurkjian reports that Bailey is expected to need 6-7 rehab appearances before joining the Red Sox bullpen, which would put his return in the middle of August. He's expected to be used in a setup role ahead of Alfredo Aceves.

Andrew Bailey (thumb) will throw another bullpen session Friday.

It will be his third since he resumed throwing from a mound. Bailey is feeling well and seems likely to start a rehab assignment before long. "It's definitely progressing the way I want to and it's going really well,'' he said. "First time I started throwing pens a couple of weeks ago, I just wasn't feeling right. But I think we kind of nipped it in the bud and, unfortunately, it took some more time. But as long as I'm healthy and going in the right direction, that's what counts.''

Andrew Bailey (thumb) threw a 20-pitch bullpen Sunday.

Bailey is scheduled to throw another bullpen Wednesday in Boston before being re-evaluated. It's possible, if not likely, he'll be cleared for a rehab assignment by next week. His timetable for returning isn't yet known, but this would indicate that he's progressing ahead of schedule. When Bailey returns, it will likely be as a setup man.

Andrew Bailey (thumb) is close to resuming throwing from a mound.

Bailey long-tossed from 180 feet and also made 15 throws off flat ground Thursday. The right-hander isn't expected to return until well into August, at the earliest, and it will likely be as a setup man. Keep him stashed only if you have adequate roster space.

Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe writes that Andrew Bailey (thumb) "may not be back until late August or September."

Bailey has yet to resume throwing from a mound since having a setback a couple weeks ago. He'll need a few bullpen sessions before going out on a rehab assignment, an assignment that's expected to last 15-20 days. It also appears as though he'll return as a setup man, so mixed leaguers can probably cut Bailey loose at this point.

Andrew Bailey (thumb) threw from 150 feet on Sunday.

The bigger news, perhaps, is that Boston manager Bobby Valentine wouldn't commit to Bailey as his closer once he is activated from the disabled list. John Hickey of ESPN Boston reports that "Bailey figures to come back as a setup man to Alfredo Aceves." Valentine said Bailey "looked pretty good," during Sunday's throwing session. The veteran stopper could be back with Boston by the end of the month.

Andrew Bailey (thumb) is getting close to resuming throwing from the mound.

He's been long-tossing with no issues following a setback last Friday when his arm felt sore during a bullpen session. The bump in the road has probably pushed Bailey's return back a week or two, but he should be ready around the trade deadline if he progresses well.

Andrew Bailey (thumb) has begun mound work.

Bailey is throwing his entire arsenal in bi-weekly bullpen sessions and should soon be cleared to face live hitters. The 28-year-old righty is aiming to join the Boston bullpen soon after the All-Star break, and could be ready to claim ninth-inning duties by the end of July.

Andrew Bailey (thumb) is now playing catch at 90 feet.

Bailey has yet to throw off the mound, and it's not clear when he'll be cleared to do so. The Red Sox are counting on having him back sometime around the All-Star break.

Andrew Bailey (thumb) is expected to begin a throwing program next week.

Bailey had a checkup Wednesday with Dr. Thomas Graham and apparently showed good progress. The right-hander is aiming to join the Red Sox near the All-Star break and should take over the ninth-inning gig within a week or two of being activated.

Andrew Bailey (thumb) is scheduled for an exam with Dr. Thomas Graham this week and hopes to be cleared to resume throwing at that time.

"It feels pretty normal to me,'' Bailey said before the Red Sox beat the Indians, 4-1, Saturday night. "I'm hoping Dr. Graham tells me I can start throwing again. Or at least that I'm getting close to that.'' Bailey is out of a cast and now wearing a wrap on his hand. The Red Sox reliever is hoping to rejoin the team sometime around the All-Star break.

Andrew Bailey (thumb) is scheduled to have a follow-up exam with Dr. Thomas Graham next week.

Bailey is currently working his way back April surgery on his right thumb. He already has range of motion back and is currently working on strengthening the thumb. If all goes well, he could join the Red Sox bullpen around the All-Star break.

Red Sox placed RHP Andrew Bailey on the 60-day disabled list with a right thumb injury.

Bailey underwent reconstructive thumb surgery on Wednesday. He could be sidelined until August.

Andrew Bailey underwent successful surgery on his right thumb Wednesday at the Cleveland Clinic.

The procedure was designed to reconstruct the UCL in the thumb on Bailey's throwing hand, and a Red Sox spokesman said Wednesday evening that everything "went well." The 27-year-old right-hander is expected to be sidelined until at least late July, and some reports even have his recovery lingering into September. Alfredo Acves has been named Boston's ninth-inning man.

Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said Tuesday that Andrew Bailey will not be back before the All-Star break.

Not entirely different from the 3-4 month timetable that had been rumored, but still bad news for the Red Sox. Mark Melancon and Alfredo Aceves remain the top two candidates to fill the ninth-inning role, but Daniel Bard could also be a possibility considering how long Bailey will be out. The former A's closer was acquired this winter as part of a five-player swap.

Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine acknowledged Tuesday that he expects Andrew Bailey (thumb) to be out for a while.

This seems to jibe with everything we've been hearing recently. Surgery was recommended when Bailey was examined Monday in Boston and he's scheduled to get a second opinion from Dr. Thomas Graham on Tuesday in Cleveland. The Red Sox would reportedly prefer to use one pitcher in the closer role, but it's not known who will get the nod. Mark Melancon and Alfredo Aceves are the favorites and should be stashed away in most fantasy leagues.