Gonzalez feeling good after bullpen session

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez threw a 25-pitch bullpen session on Wednesday morning and reported no problems with his lower back.

"I was able to throw some pitches off the mound and I'm happy with that," he said. "I'll be doing everything with the team now. [Thursday], I'll just be playing catch and then Friday, another bullpen, and that's probably going to be 100 percent."

Gonzalez was followed by Kelvin De la Cruz, who has been slowed with a hamstring injury. Both guys pitched on the mound off to the side, with the strings at home plate with bullpen catcher Jett Ruiz (who is auditioning for the job) behind the plate.