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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Tampa Bay ace David Price threw to a most surprising hitter in his latest workout -- Kansas City pitcher James Shields. Price took another step toward rejoining the Tampa Bay rotation, working Thursday in his first simulated game since being sidelined May 16 because of a strained left triceps. The AL Cy Young Award winner had never before been on the disabled list. Price threw 54 pitches over three innings before the Rays played Kansas City on Thursday night. He got a good laugh when he took the mound to warm up and saw Shields, his former teammate, standing in the batters box. Shields returned to Tropicana Field for the first time this season since being traded in the winter to the Royals. He watched five pitches by Price go by before stepping out. Price is expected to start a minor league rehab assignment next week and could return to the majors in late June or early July. "I felt great," Price said. "Im kind of getting the results that Im expecting out there right now. Its definitely good to go out there and feel as good as I am right now. I guess its a sigh of relief." Price struggled this year before getting hurt, going 1-4 with a 5.24 ERA after going 20-5 with a 2.56 ERA in 2012. "Hes actually, I think, exceeding expectations a little bit," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "Hes looking really good." Maddon was also pleased to see Shields but was grateful his club would not have to face him this series. The 31-year-old right-hander pitched seven innings against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday in a game the Royals went on to win, 3-2, in 10 innings. "It is strange seeing him in that different blue (uniform) over there," Maddon said. "I told him, just enjoy your four days here. You pitched yesterday, so enjoy the family, enjoy the vacation here at home." The Rays played a video tribute on the scoreboard to Shields before the bottom of the second inning. He got a standing ovation. He tipped his cap and waved to the crowd from the front of the third base dugout. "It is a little weird, just seeing all the guys again," said Shields, who spent half of his 12 years in the Tampa Bay organization at the major league level. Shields left Tampa Bay leading the franchise with 217 starts, 19 complete games, eight shutouts and 1,250 strikeouts. He won 14 games for the Rays in 2008, when they won their only pennant.