Bonderman throws breaking ball without pain

DETROIT -- Jeremy Bonderman was able to throw a breaking ball off a mound without pain for the first time in a couple of days after developing tendinitis and inflammation in his right thumb.

Bonderman originally injured his thumb in Spring Training when he was with the Mariners. He took a cortisone shot at the time and the pain subsided until this month. Bonderman recently had an MRI, which showed there was no further damage.

"Today I didn't feel it at all," Bonderman said. "I'm happy with that."

Bonderman was finished for the 2011 season and missed the next year due to Tommy John surgery.

"[Trainers] said my problem could be my not playing for two years and getting back in it," said Bonderman. "It got irritated from throwing again. I was glad nothing was torn."