Reliever Bard getting ready for mound

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Right-hander Daniel Bard, who is in camp on a Minor League contract, could take a significant step this week in his recovery from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery. Bard, who has been on a throwing program and currently long-tossing at 120 feet, is hoping to begin throwing off a mound at some point this coming week.

"It's not set yet, hopefully Wednesday or Friday," Bard said. "So far it has been good progress going forward. Sometimes it slower than other times but there have been no setbacks."

Bard had the surgery on January 2 and will likely not be an option until sometime later this summer. But as a setup reliever for the Red Sox in 2009-11 -- before he started having arm problems -- Bard appeared in 192 games, had a 2.88 ERA, held opponents to a .190 average and struck out 213 batters in 197 innings.