OF Matt Joyce (elbow strain) said he likely won’t be able to play outfield until at least next week following a slight setback in a throwing session Monday.

Joyce, who was hoping to get back in the field by this weekend, said he “couldn’t put the zip” on the ball when playing catch from 90 feet Monday. Joyce said the arm felt good, and he could get it to the target, “but it’s a lot different.”

Joyce was going to try to throw to the bases on Wednesday, but he said that’ll likely get pushed back, as well as his return to the outfield in a Grapefruit League game.

“From what they told me, it’s probably not going to be as early as I hoped,” Joyce said. “Because we’re not where we thought we’d be….I’m trying to get out there as soon as I can – I’ve got that itch.”

For Joyce, who is competing to be part of the right-field platoon, he knows he needs to get back on the field sooner rather than later. He does, however, feel comfortable at the plate, where he went 2-for-5 with a homer and triple in a Double-A game Monday.