Perez throws off mound for first time since freak injury

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Oliver Perez threw off the mound Sunday for the first time since injuring his left shoulder by sleeping awkwardly on it earlier this month.

Perez threw 23 pitches, all fastballs, in a 5-minute session held indoors because of heavy rain.

"I feel so happy and good," Perez said. "Everything feels normal now."

Perez slept awkwardly on his shoulder the night before the first workout for pitchers and catchers. He began a moderate throwing program a few days later.

"The biggest concern was to make sure there were no problems with how his shoulder felt, and he said it felt great," pitching coach Spin Williams said.

Williams oversaw the throwing session, while bullpen coach Bruce Tanner and manager Lloyd McClendon looked on.

"I wanted to see the extension of his arm and where his arm slot was and make sure it was in the right place," Williams said. "It was basic stuff to see where he is at this stage of camp."

McClendon also liked what he saw.

"He threw the ball extremely well," he said. "His command was better than I thought it was going to be. He was free and easy."

Perez will play catch Monday then increase his number of minutes off the mound Tuesday. He will throw at least two more times before being cleared to pitch in spring training games.

"We want to bring him along slowly and build him up to a point where he'll be ready for the season," McClendon.

Barring any setbacks, Perez likely will be the Pirates' opening day starter. In 2004, his first full season in the majors, he was 12-10 with a 2.98 ERA and 239 strikeouts in 196 innings. He led all major league starters in strikeouts per nine innings and finished sixth in the National League in ERA.

Because of his heavy workload last season, Perez did not pitch winter ball for the first time in his career and did little throwing in the winter.

"I tried not to do too much," Perez said. "I don't want to be hurt again. I want to be sure. The next time, I will throw a little harder and make sure I am ready to pitch in some games."

Perez appeared to be unhappy with the location of several throws, but Williams was pleased with how Perez finished the session.

"I wanted him to leave with a good feeling," Williams said. "He threw that last pitch pretty well. His mechanics were good and the ball came out of his hand clean."