There's a possibility Young will pitch again in the majors this year if he remains pain free, pitching coach Darren Balsley said.

The 6-foot-10 Young made one start this season before going on the disabled list April 12 with a strained shoulder. He had arthroscopic surgery on the shoulder a year ago.

After throwing a series of simulated games and bullpen sessions, a rehab start will give Young a better sense of where he is physically.

"You can throw these sim games, but they're just not the same as being in a game environment where you might sit five minutes in between one inning and 15 minutes between the next inning," Young said Sunday before the NL West leaders tried to avoid being swept by Philadelphia. "That's what my arm needs to be conditioned to doing. A simulated game is nice to face hitters, and the hitters I think get something out of it, seeing live pitches, but I think it's time to be in a real game environment and push it a little bit. The intensity and adrenaline will probably be a little bit more than I've had yet. It'll just be another test."

Young, who's had a serious injury each season since 2008, called it a "fun challenge. I hope I feel good physically, which I expect to do."

As for his stuff, "We're going to find out. I think I've done some things well and there's still a lot to improve on. I'll find out where it is. The hitters will sort of tell me."

Young threw a bullpen session Saturday. Balsley and manager Bud Black felt a rehab start was the next step.

"He's got no pain or anything like that, and that's the most important thing," Balsley said. "I'd say right now he'd be a little bit ahead of where he would be in spring training, ready to go for his first start, just because he's had a simulated game. In spring they throw batting practice instead. He's faced batters in a game-type situation with no pain in there. His command and velocity are getting a little bit better each time out."

If all goes well Tuesday, Young said he'd probably make another rehab start five days later.

"But I've got to get through Tuesday first," he said.

Balsley said Young will need to remain pain free to return to the rotation.

"Where we're going to fit him in, and when, if, all those things, who knows. But there's a possibility, yes," Balsley said.