MINNEAPOLIS -- Twins reliever Glen Perkins, who is coming off left shoulder surgery, experienced some soreness and will push back Friday's targeted throwing date.
Perkins, who underwent surgery to reattach his labrum to the bone in June, has been working out at the club's Spring Training complex in Fort Myers, Fla., since early January, and had been scheduled to throw his first light bullpen session on Friday. Perkins, though, determined he wasn't ready to take that next step and will continue to build arm strength before getting off a mound.
Perkins, a three-time All-Star, said at TwinsFest that his rehab was going well this offseason, and estimated he was about three weeks behind his usual offseason schedule. Perkins had been throwing off flat ground in recent weeks without any issues, but he had been only throwing fastballs.
Perkins, who made just two appearances last year, had hoped to get into Spring Training games by mid-March, but he is likely to see that pushed back as well, as he's a candidate to open the season on the disabled list. Brandon Kintzler will fill-in as closer until Perkins proves he's ready to take back that role.