Kimball feels no pain after two throwing sessions

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

June 18, 2011, 11:12am

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Nationals right-handed reliever Cole Kimball had two throwing sessions Saturday under the supervision of bullpen coach Jim Lett and head athletic trainer Lee Kuntz to test his injured shoulder. He said the sessions went very well and his throwing shoulder showed no pain during the workouts. Kimball has been on the disabled list since June 10 with shoulder inflammation. Kimball threw two sessions and 60 feet and felt "pretty good" afterward. "There was no pain," Kimball said. "I am using good mechanics. I finished down through the ball and keeping my eyes on the target. I am pretty confident being pain-free. I am happy about it." On Sunday, Kimball is scheduled to throw 25 pitches from 60 feet and 90 feet. He hopes to get to a bullpen session either Thursday or Friday. But Kimball is making no plans after that. "I am not trying to set time (for my return)," Kimball said. "I just want to be healthy and throw pain free as I have been able to pitch with my normal mechanics." The most critical task at hand now is to work on strengthening his shoulder. "It was pretty weak after that day that I threw in San Diego," Kimball said. "That was part of the inflammation and part of it was it was getting worked a lot."