Prior Throws Off Mound

PEORIA, Arizona (Ticker) -- Mark Prior pitched off a mound to live batters Thursday, one day after being placed on the 60-day disabled list by the San Diego Padres. Prior tossed 25 pitches in his first appearance against live hitters since undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery last April.

"I thought he looked good," Padres manager Bud Black said. "He threw free and easy - his delivery looked good and the ball was coming out of his hand great. It was very encouraging." Prior, 27, signed a one-year deal with the Padres three months ago after the Chicago Cubs failed to tender him an offer before the December 13 deadline.

The talented but injury-prone righthander is not expected to pitch until June at the earliest. "The main goal was to get on the mound, face some hitters and get out OK," Prior said. "That's the goal, and you get three or four pitches in and start getting upset at yourself for missing spots, missing your location and stuff like that. "Overall, the fact that I'm even at where I am right now, I'm happy." Prior has not pitched since the 2006 season, when he went 1-6 with a 7.21 ERA in nine starts for the Cubs. The No. 2 overall draft selection in 2001, Prior is 42-29 with a 3.51 ERA in 106 career starts with Chicago.