Scheppers, Harrison have productive sessions

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Reliever Tanner Scheppers threw live batting practice on Thursday without any issues and is finally over the back spasms that set him back in Rangers camp.

"It went nice," pitching coach Mike Maddux said. "He got through it, threw 30 pitches and felt good afterwards. We're in the clear and full steam ahead."

Matt Harrison also resumed his throwing by playing catch at 120 feet on Thursday morning. It was the first time Harrison has thrown since being shut down at the beginning of camp because of back and neck stiffness.

"I got it stretched out a little bit," Harrison said. "It's been feeling great. My arm definitely felt fresh. I let it go a little bit, put some oomph into it ... everything felt really good."

Harrison, who missed almost all of last season with a herniated disk in his lower back, will be brought along slowly in his throwing program and is not expected to be in the Opening Day rotation.

"Each day will determine what I do that day," Harrison said. "It just depends on how I recover from the previous day."

The two most immediate concerns on the pitching staff are right-handers Shawn Tolleson and Miles Mikolas. Tolleson has been experiencing pain his right shoulder and Mikolas has been dealing with a sore elbow. Both will be examined by Dr. Shane Seroyer, the assistant team physician, this weekend.

Both are experienced pitchers with some success at the Major League level. Tolleson was 3-1 with a 4.30 ERA in 40 games with the Dodgers in 2012 while Mikolas was 2-1 with a 3.62 ERA in 25 games with the Padres in 2012. Tolleson missed most of last season with a herniated disk in his lower back and was claimed on waivers from the Dodgers. Mikolas was at Triple-A Tucson last season, recording 26 saves. He was acquired from the Pirates for first baseman Chris McGuiness.