Wada progressing, could throw 'pen session soon

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Orioles pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada inched closer to throwing a regular bullpen session on Friday, throwing 15 pitches off the half-mound after long tossing on the back fields at the team's Ed Smith Stadium complex.

Wada, via interpreter/athletic trainer Seob Yoon, said it was the best he's felt so far in rehabbing from Tommy John surgery on his left elbow in May, and the plan is for him to throw off a regular mound Monday.

"I feel that it's gradually getting better and better, day by day," said Wada. "Today was more like getting ready for Monday -- that's the whole purpose of today's half-mound -- and it went well, so I'm happy about that."

Wada's early timetable is a May or June return to Baltimore.