Right handed pitcher Zack Greinke, who has been sidelined with a hairline fracture in one of his ribs, could return sooner than expected reports Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel.

Greinke apparently felt good during a bullpen session Saturday and the team is considering moving up the timetable for his first start as a Brewer.

The original plan was for Greinke to throw numerous bullpen sessions and simulated games. He would then make two starts for Triple-A Nashville during the last week of April, throwing 35-40 pitches in the first start and 75 in the second. He was expected to make his regular season debut sometime during a series in Atlanta, May 2-5.

“His timetable is in flux because of how well he felt today,” said assistant GM, Gord Ash. “We will rework the schedule and plan and let you all know early next week.”

The right hander cracked a rib while playing basketball early in March, but he confirmed that his second bullpen session felt better than anticipated.

“I was real happy with how it worked out,” he said. “I threw a little bit of everything. It wasn’t perfect, but I’m real happy with it.”

“Everything is coming along good. It’s just (going) as fast as I can be ready. It’s not at 100% right now, but it’s pretty good. It’s possible I might need a six-inning start (in the minors). It’s possible just three innings. That’s my opinion; I don’t know what theirs will be.”

Greinke was traded from the Royals to the Brewers back in December, 2010. The 2009 American League Cy Young Award winner will make $13.5 million each season for 2011 and 2012. He was 10-14 with a 4.17 ERA in 2010 with the Royals.