Motte throws first 'pen session to crouching catcher

JUPITER, Fla. -- Jason Motte, now nine and a half months removed from Tommy John surgery, took another step forward in his rehab program by throwing a bullpen session on Sunday morning.

Though Motte estimated that he threw at only 50-60 percent effort, it did mark the first time this spring that he threw to a crouching catcher. Each time he had previously stepped onto the mound, Motte threw to a catcher who was standing up.

"It's a baby step," Motte said afterward. "Ramping it up too fast right now wouldn't do anyone any good. The whole goal this year is for me to be out there and to be healthy. It would be great if it's in April. If it's May, it's May. It's about being healthy, being able to go out there and actually doing something to help the team win."

Motte said he threw between 20-25 pitches in Sunday's session. He's scheduled to repeat the exercise again on Tuesday and then potentially increase the number of pitches and/or intensity during a throw on Friday. This was also significant because it was the first time this year that Motte has thrown on consecutive days. Saturday he played flat-ground catch with Randy Choate.