Worcestershire spinner Josh Baker is back bowling after suffering a stress reaction to a lower back problem last summer.
The 19-year-old Academy product was sidelined for the final two months of last season.
But Head Coach Alan Richardson confirmed the slow left armer has started bowling again in the nets at Malvern.
Richardson said: “He has started bowling now, and there is a huge smile on his face. I think Josh has done amazingly well.
“To get the injury he did at such an age is always a test, and he handled it brilliantly well and has come back fitter than ever.
“He has worked really hard on his batting, and now he is back to doing his bowling, and it is great to see.”
“We will build him slowly. He has got a nice block of time now, and he is really keen and eager.
“It is just a case of managing that and getting him in a position for the start of the season where he puts himself in a position to be selected.”
Richardson added: “For all of these guys, it is a heck of a journey as a professional cricketer.
“Josh has had some really good moments and had some tough moments, and this is one of them.
“He has handled it as well as anything I’ve seen.
“There will be many more to come, ups and downs, and just the way he handles them will be a significant part of how he continues on his journey.”
