Jul 16, 2006 2:12 AM EST

Yankees reliever Octavio Dotel threw a scoreless inning Saturday night in his first minor league rehabilitation appearance since being shut down last month because of inflammation in his surgically repaired right elbow.

Pitching for the Single-A Tampa Yankees against the Clearwater Phillies, the right-hander struck out one during a perfect sixth inning. "Today it feels good," Dotel said after an 11-pitch outing. "I threw a lot in the bullpen, too. We're just going to see how it is tomorrow and Monday. The next outing will be a big test."

Dotel, who had elbow ligament replacement surgery a year ago, is expected to join the Yankees before the end of the month.

Via AP