Alex Cobb playing catch

Rays pitcher Alex Cobb played catch Friday for the first time since suffering a scary head injury June 15 against Kansas City.

Cobb told MLB.com he still had a slight headache, but felt fine otherwise. The right-hander remains hopeful of returning before the season ends.

"It's great," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "Anytime I walk by him, he tells me he's having a good day and that's good to hear. We'll just take our time with him and follow his lead. With guys that have been hurt like that, I don't like to consistently ask them how they're feeling. I avoid that."