Hudson feels on track to make next start

SAN FRANCISCO -- Right-hander Tim Hudson made around 35 throws from 70 to 80 feet Saturday as he continued to make good progress in his recovery from a strained left hip.

Hudson missed his scheduled start Friday but expects to be ready to pitch Thursday at Colorado.

"Just taking steps," Hudson said before the Giants' game against Miami on Saturday. "Everything's doing what we expect it to do. Keep going the way we are, I should be fine for Thursday.

"It's just more tight than anything. With treatment, stretching, massage, it should be good. It should be fine by next week. I still got five days. It's all good."

During his throwing session, Hudson unleashed a number of pitches out of the stretch, mixing fastballs with breaking balls.

"I had to test it a little bit," Hudson said, smiling. "It should be good. It's been feeling a little bit better every day."

Hudson first felt pain in his left hip early in his last start Sunday against the Dodgers. Giants manager Bruce Bochy took Hudson out of that game after six innings. The next morning, Hudson felt more severe pain in his hip, and the Giants eventually decided to skip his turn in the rotation.

"I hate to miss one," Hudson said. "It's something I probably could have pitched through, but it would have been one of those things it could have dragged out a couple weeks. Better to get it and knock it out and get ready for the next time out full strength."

Bochy said he expects Hudson to make his next start.

"He's doing fine," Bochy said Saturday. "He's making improvement like we were hoping. I think tomorrow the plan is for him to throw a bullpen and we'll have a better idea of where we're at. I think all is good with him right now."