Samardzija (shoulder) will throw three innings in a simulated game Saturday, Amy Gutierrez of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

EDGE Analysis

Samardzija struggled to a 9.88 ERA in three starts before being diagnosed with shoulder inflammation back in early August. It initially appeared as though there was a chance the veteran's season would end prematurely, but it now looks as though he'll have time to make a handful of starts before the end of the year. It's not yet clear whether or not Saturday's session will be his final one before he's ready to return, however.