Showalter encouraged with Johan's throwing program

BALTIMORE -- Johan Santana threw a bullpen session on Tuesday, and manager Buck Showalter said he's encouraged with the way the left-hander has progressed. Santana, who is at the team's spring complex in Sarasota, Fla., threw all his pitches and is working as if he's on a five-man rotation right now.

The Orioles would ideally like Santana, who could be an option in June, to have a 10 mph difference between his fastball and offspeed pitches.

"He had one of the best changeups in baseball, but if his velocity is only 85, can he drop his changeup to 75?" Showalter said. "I don't know, and is 85 enough? I think the hitters are going to answer a lot of those questions.

"I know in my mind what I'd love to see on the gun in a perfect world. But all indications are so far, so good. He hasn't had any setbacks."

Top prospect Dylan Bundy, who tweeted his progress in Monday's first full mound session, threw 25 fastballs on Wednesday and continues to progress back from Tommy John surgery. Bundy is considered a little behind Santana in terms of timeline.