J.P. Howell is on his way to see Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama and is expected to undergo season-ending surgery on his shoulder.

Howell has been out of commission since spring training with a shoulder issue and had a setback Monday while throwing a simulated game. If Andrews recommends surgery, the lefty probably won't return for the rest of 2010. He had a 2.84 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP over 69 appearances in 2009.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said J.P. Howell (shoulder) "definitely" suffered a setback during a simulated game on Monday.

"J.P. did not have a good day," said Maddon. "We're going to have to re-evaluate it. I don't know what the next step is right yet but did not feel good following his throwing today. He threw some pitches that looked kind of normal to me, and then all of a sudden he just did not want to throw anymore. I asked him if he felt pain and he had a hard time describing that to me, and I did not want to press him on it. ... I don't know what it is, I just know that it didn't feel good." Howell is expected to be reevaluated by team doctors on Tuesday.

J.P. Howell (shoulder) cut a simulated game short after just 12 pitches.

Howell was scheduled to throw 30 pitches, so this can hardly be taken as a good sign. We'll see if he suffered a setback, but don't be surprised if a rehab assignment is put on hold.

J.P. Howell is set to throw a simulated game on Monday.

He previously threw batting practice at less than full effort, but he's should be at 100 percent on Monday. Assuming that goes well, Howell could head out on a rehab assignment late next week.

J.P. Howell (shoulder) threw batting practice Friday at less than 100 percent.

Howell barely pitched in March and hasn't seen action since, so he'll probably need a couple of weeks in the minors before rejoining the Rays. It's possible, but not all that likely, that he'll be activated before the end of May.

J.P. Howell (shoulder) is expected to throw live batting practice Friday.

Howell has looked strong in his last couple of bullpen sessions. He's been out all year with a left shoulder strain and is hoping to join up with the Rays' bullpen around the end of May or early June.

J.P. Howell (shoulder) felt great after a bullpen session on Wednesday.

Howell hopes to mix in some off-speed stuff during another bullpen session on Friday. "I won't just throw heater after heater," said Howell. "That was pretty easy. So now I'll turn one over on a change-up and see how that goes. There's a lot of (elbow) pronating on a change-up." He's still targeting a return in late-May.

J.P. Howell threw from 120 feet on Friday and said his shoulder "feels great."

Good news for Howell, who also threw on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. "I've got a bullpen [session] right around the corner," said Howell. "It's Monday or Wednesday: it's up to [the Rays]." He's currently hoping to return in mid-to-late May.

J.P. Howell (shoulder) is scheduled to play catch from 45 feet on Friday.

He's making progress. Howell was placed on the disabled list to begin the season due to a strained left shoulder. He's hoping to return sometime in May.

J.P. Howell (shoulder) was pleased by the results of another strength test on Monday.

Howell, who was placed on the disabled list with a left shoulder sprain, said he plans to start throwing from a distance of 45 feet on Thursday. He's aiming for a return in mid to late May.

Rays placed LHP J.P. Howell on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 26, with a left shoulder strain.

Howell will spend Opening Day undergoing a strength test down at extended spring training and the Rays should reveal some semblance of a timetable soon after. He has struggled with soreness when trying to trhow this season and we're thinking he might not return until early May.