PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) -Mark Prior didn’t experience any pain in his surgically repaired right shoulder during his first spring training workout with the San Diego Padres.
Manager Bud Black said Sunday that all of his active pitchers were injury free, including Prior, who threw 31 pitches during Saturday’s workout.
Prior, an 18-game winner with the Chicago Cubs in 2003, hasn’t pitched in the major leagues since Aug. 10, 2006. The right-hander had shoulder surgery last season and isn’t expected back until mid-May or possibly June.
“It felt good,” Prior said. “I felt pretty comfortable on the mound. I was able to focus more on some spots than mechanics and arm.”
Prior joined the Padres on Dec. 26 after spending six seasons with the Cubs, signing a one-year, incentive-laden contract.
The 27-year-old Prior, who was the second pick in the June 2001 draft, is 42-29 with a 3.51 ERA in 106 career starts.
Prior is throwing off the mound every fifth day while doing various rehab activities in between. Prior said he’s playing long toss at distances up to 130 feet with accuracy. He said he was encouraged when he began playing long toss beyond 80 feet during January workouts at Petco Park, a feat he hadn’t performed in two offseasons.
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