Matt Garza injury: Cubs RHP targeting May return

Chicago Cubs right-hander Matt Garza will resume a throwing program today, but he's not expected to make his regular season debut until early May, according to Carrie Muskat of MLB.com.

Garza has been sidelined this spring with a strained left lat muscle. He played catch Sunday and Monday and told reporters that so far so good when it comes to his rehab regimen.

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Garza is working his way back to throwing from a mound, something he hasn't done since Feb. 17. That's when he began to experience soreness in his side during a live batting practice session.

Garza is "just slowly getting back into" a routine, but he admitted that it's slow and frustrating. While Muskat mentions early May as a probable return time, Garza continues to express optimism that he'll be able to return by the middle of April.

Garza is entering the final year of his contract with the Cubs. If he's able to return from injury and get off to a hot start this season, he'll enter the trade deadline as one of the most coveted arms available. Chicago has indicated it would be willing to extend the 29-year-old and continue to build its rotation around him, but there are many that believe they'll deal him if they receive an offer to their liking to help expedite their rebuilding process.