Schilling continues throwing program

5/23/2008 7:46 PM

By JANIE McCAULEY
AP Sports Writer

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -Curt Schilling took a key step Friday in his rehabilitation from the shoulder injury that has sidelined him all year: He played long toss from 140 feet.

While it doesn't sound like much even to Schilling, he knows that each step in the process is important. The 41-year-old right-hander is on the 60-day disabled list recovering from weakness in his shoulder and biceps and is eager to finally get his 21st major league season under way.

``Significant is a strong word,'' Schilling said after his session in the Oakland Coliseum. ``It's a step. It's coming. I'm closer to getting on a mound and that's where I want to get. I don't know when the real telltale happens. I'm starting to get to the point where the effort level has to be a certain point to get the ball there. We'll see how it plays out.''

Red Sox manager Terry Francona said that if all goes well Schilling could be throwing off the mound in a couple of weeks.

Francona was encouraged by Schilling's outing.

``He had a good day,'' the skipper said. ``He might be a couple weeks away from an easy side, so he's making some good progress.''

Schilling had wanted to have surgery on his troublesome shoulder, but agreed to rest and rehab after three doctors examined him. Schilling has a tendon injury and possibly a damaged rotator cuff.

He went 9-8 in 24 starts in 2007 for Boston despite being sidelined for six weeks with the shoulder issue. He won three games in the postseason, including Game 2 of the World Series.

He signed an $8 million, one-year contract with Boston in November, but announced in February that he would miss significant time because of the shoulder problem.

Schilling didn't make too much of Friday's throwing session, but also knows it will lead to pushing himself more the next time.

``It's hard to get excited about throwing a baseball 140 feet,'' he said. ``I certainly shouldn't need any more motivation to get this stuff down. In two weeks I could throw a bullpen. If I don't, then something has gone wrong. I don't think anything is going to go wrong.''