CHICAGO -- Rehabbing starter Gavin Floyd could be back on the mound for the White Sox as early as next week. Floyd has been on the disabled list since Aug. 27 with soreness in his right elbow.

The Sox starter threw a 55-pitch bullpen session on Thursday. He will try to repeat his performance on Sunday.

“I think the plan is for me to go back into the rotation as soon as possible as long as everything goes as planned,” Floyd said.

Floyd was on the DL for the same problem earlier in the season. The 30-year-old pitcher has had a disappointing season (9-9, 4.55 ERA) and could become a free agent after 2012 . The Sox have a team-only option in 2013.

Floyd was encouraged for the first time since tweaking the elbow last month.

“It felt good,” Floyd said of Friday’s side session. “ I threw some sliders, change-ups, (and) fastballs. It was good, better than I expected, so we will have one more bullpen Sunday. We will throw curveballs (and) that will be the final test as to how it feels.”

The White Sox could use a fresh arm in the rotation, having only benefitted from two quality starts in the last 12 by their games.

Manager Robin Ventura was not sure when or where Floyd fits in after he is declared game ready.

“He has to feel right in order to (start),” Ventura said. “Soon as he is fit to (pitch) then we will see where he best fits in.”