Rays RHP Matt Garza threw 30 pitches off the bullpen mound today and came away pain free. The radial nerve irritation that placed him on the 15-day disabled list was treated with an injection, he said, and that has made all the difference.

After his session today, during which he threw all of his pitches (including the two-seamer, which he said caused the problem), Garza pronounced himself ready to pitch once he is eligible to come off the DL on April 24.

“I feel that good,” he said. “That’s my plan, but we’ll see what’s in store. Today is Day One of throwing off a mound. I felt good and I’m ready to get right back on it. Let’s go.”

Manager Joe Maddon also sounded optimistic that Garza would be able to return that soon. Garza throws another, more demanding bullpen on Thursday (in St. Petersburg while the rest of the team plays the Twins in Minneapolis). After that, he’ll extend himself in a simulated game. If all goes well, it sounds like he’ll be able to pitch either against the Blue Jays at Disney on April 24 or against the Red Sox during the weekend series at Tropicana Field April 25-27.

Other notes:

*C Dioner Navarro worked out at the Naimoli Complex and Maddon said all went well. Navarro had the stitches removed Monday from the right fingers that were injured at Yankee Stadium during the team’s trip to New York, and he’s scheduled to catch LHP Scott Kazmir when the Rays’ ace makes a rehab appearance for Class A Vero Beach Friday. Navarro will remain with Vero to DH and test the injured fingers at least for one more day after Friday. Maddon said the injury didn’t bother Navarro’s right-handed swing, but it hurt his left-handed swing “a little bit.”
*Remember, all of the Rays will wear No. 42 tonight to honor Jackie Robinson. It actually looked pretty cool in the clubhouse this afternoon, with all of those 42’s hanging in the lockers in a row. There were no names on the backs of the jerseys, just Jackie’s retired number.
*Here’s a pretty nifty statistical comparison provided in today’s Rays pregame notes. Last year’s bullpen through 13 games: 6.44 ERA, 36.1 IP, 48 H, 26 ER, .318 opponent BA. This year’s bullpen through 13 games: 3.63 ERA, 39.2 IP, 32 H, 16 ER, .218 opponent BA.