ANAHEIM -- Bud Norris is inching closer to rejoining the Angels' bullpen.
The veteran right-hander is slated to throw one inning in a rehab assignment with Class A Advanced Inland Empire on Thursday, putting him on track to potentially be activated from the disabled list as soon as Saturday.
Norris, who has been sidelined since June 20, said he received a cortisone injection in his inflamed right knee and felt better during his bullpen session on Monday.
"I was excited with those results," Norris said. "I'll go pitch tomorrow and go from there."
Norris said he has not been informed whether he'll require more than one rehab outing, as the Angels want to wait to see how he does on Thursday before making a decision.