Hudson ready to test ankle on mound

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Healing at an encouraging pace, Giants right-hander Tim Hudson said Tuesday he will try to throw off a bullpen mound Wednesday for the first time since undergoing ankle surgery last month.

Hudson, 39, had bone spurs removed from his right ankle on Jan. 2. But he has been throwing on flat ground and said he felt good enough to progress to the mound, which is more physically stressful.

"I feel like I'm way ahead of the game from where I was last year at this time," said Hudson, who was still recovering from right ankle surgery when he began his first Spring Training with the Giants in 2014.

Hudson is a virtual lock to open the regular season in the starting rotation if he's healthy.