In recent weeks, all eyes have been on Liam Hendriks, an experienced reliever who is pushing for his comeback after Tommy John surgery and wants to be on the mound for the first time in a Boston Red Sox jersey towards the end of the season.

But the Red Sox have another pitcher who is taking important steps to return to the team after injury and become part of the bullpen team.

Justin Slaten, who has been on the injured list for over a month due to inflammation in his right elbow, made his first rehab appearance with Double-A Portland on Friday. The 26-year-old right-hander was rusty, throwing only eight of his 17 pitches for strikes and making just one out by strikeout before leaving the field. He also allowed one run, one hit and one walk.

But Red Sox manager Alex Cora was optimistic about Slaten after the outing.

“He felt good. A little out of rhythm, but health-wise, he’s in good shape,” Cora told reporters before Saturday’s loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to Christopher Smith of MassLive. “We’ll see how he feels today and then go through the plan. If he needs another (rehab appearance), he needs another. If not, we’ll look at it and if we feel he’s ready, we’ll make a decision.”

The Red Sox signed Slaten in the offseason after the New York Mets drafted him from the Texas Rangers in the Rule 5 Draft.

Slaten showed his value almost immediately, becoming a key bullpen arm that Cora could rely on. In 31 appearances, Slaten posted a record of 5-2 with a 3.38 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 10 holds – good for the third-best mark on the team behind Chris Martin and Brennan Bernardino.

Bringing Slaten back into the team in the near future should help the bullpen, which has struggled since the All-Star break.

Meanwhile, Hendriks will make his third rehab appearance with Portland on Sunday.