ARLINGTON -- A productive bullpen session before Tuesday night's game against the Rangers would appear to have Ervin Santana ready to go on Friday night at Angel Stadium against the Orioles, if manager Mike Scioscia decides that's the right time to unleash his 2008 All-Star right-hander.

"Ervin felt good today," Scioscia said. "He had a good bullpen [session]. We'll see how he comes out of it. He's going to be pitching in the Baltimore series -- which game, I don't know. We have some things to look at."

Santana has been on the 15-day disabled list since June 12, having made his most recent appearance in a loss to the Rays on June 11. He had some stiffness in his upper forearm after that game, and it moved to his triceps.

After throwing 45 pitches to rookies in an Arizona Summer League game on Sunday night, Santana declared his readiness to rejoin the rotation. His bullpen session on Tuesday apparently confirmed it.

The question that remains is who will be moved out of the rotation to accommodate Santana, who is 1-3 with a 7.47 ERA in six starts after missing the first five weeks with a sprained right elbow. Matt Palmer and Sean O'Sullivan have both performed effectively in starting roles.

Palmer is 7-1 with a 5.16 ERA in 11 starts and one relief appearance. O'Sullivan, who won Monday night's series opener with six solid innings against the Rangers, yielding a pair of runs, is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA in three starts.

Both have options available and could be sent to Triple-A Salt Lake -- or to middle relief.