FORT MYERS, Fla. — It wasn’t much, just some easy tosses. But David Price is throwing again.

Eleven days after getting an MRI on his elbow, Price told the training staff he felt good and wanted to pick up a ball for the first time since a simulated game on Feb. 28.

It was welcome news for the Sox and manager John Farrell.

“He actually went and threw in the cage today. About 25 throws and the range of motion [and] the freeness to the movement is all positive. We recognize it’s the early stages right now but a good day for David today,’’ Farrell said.

On Friday, Farrell suggested it would be a few more days before Price threw. But the schedule changed.

“A little bit ahead of what we laid out,’’ the manager said. “That’s based on how he feels and the positivity towards it.

“All of the early phase of throwing is going to be short distance, controlled effort and energy. So we’re not even mapping out distances right now. We’re more interested in seeing how his arm responds to even the light volume as of today.’’

For Price, it was the first of many steps needed before he gets into a game. He will eventually play catch, progress to long toss, and then throw off a bullpen mound.

Once he gets into a game, Price will have to build up to 85-90 pitches before being ready for the majors. That will take at least five outings with four days between each.

Price is sure to start the season on the disabled list. But returning at some point in April seems possible.

“I’m not really focused on any kind of a timeline,’’ Farrell said. “He’s going to be out there when first ready, first available. There’s still work to do.

“The biggest key for us is going to be when he gets to the point of aggressive long toss to getting on the mound. That’s where the more extension to the arm is going to come into play. That’ll be a big phase in the return.’’

Owens struggles

Lefthander Henry Owens submitted his fourth consecutive poor outing of the spring, allowing six runs on five hits over 2⅓ innings in a split-squad game against the Minnesota Twins.

While Owens showed solid fastball velocity (90-93 miles per hour on the Hammond Stadium gun for most of his outing, topping out at 94), he walked four and struck out four, throwing 31 strikes and 30 balls. 

In four games this spring, Owens has allowed 13 runs on 13 hits and 12 walks over 7⅓ innings. He has struck out 13. A 15.95 earned run average and 3.40 WHIP speak to his mechanical issues.

“I’ve been doing this for seven years. I’m still trying to figure myself out,’’ said Owens. “It’s all on me right now.’’

The 24-year-old said that his mechanics have been particularly inconsistent from the windup, and that he felt good working out of the stretch. He walked all four batters he faced out of his windup; he didn’t walk anyone he faced out of the stretch.

Owens plans on spending the entirety of his next bullpen session working out of the windup and might pick the brains of teammates Price and Drew Pomeranz, whose windups harbor considerable similarities to their deliveries out of the stretch.

“The strike-throwing has to improve,’’ Farrell said.

No concern, yet

Tyler Thornburg, who has not appeared in a game since March 1, believes he will be ready for Opening Day.

“I’m not worried now. I’ve made a lot of progress this week,’’ he said.

The righthanded reliever was wild in two appearances then shut down for what the Sox said were strength and conditioning issues related to his shoulder.

The Red Sox require their pitchers to follow a regimen of shoulder-strengthening exercises designed to prevent injuries. Thornburg did not adapt well at first.

“My shoulder was getting tight from the things we do in the shoulder program. I had to strengthen it. It was a matter of activating the right muscles instead of overcompensating,’’ he said.

“I know that long term, it’s going to help me. If I get five or six games, I’ll be fine. There are plenty of games left.’’

Back in action

Xander Bogaerts and the Netherlands play Japan at the Tokyo Dome on Sunday in the second round of the World Baseball Classic. Bogaerts was 2 for 10 in the first round . . . Lefthander Roenis Elias said he would not throw for at least three weeks because of a strained muscle on his right side. “When I throw is when it bothers me. I need to rest,’’ Elias said via an interpreter . . . Farrell slapped back at the idea the Red Sox have no competition in their camp, pointing to roster battles in the bullpen and for the final bench spot. “We’ve got competition in spots. There’s been a lot written that this is a push-button team,’’ he said. “We’re by no means a push-button team. I love the fact that we have competition alive.’’

Peter Abraham can be reached at pabraham@globe.com.