Wada throws off half-mound

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

February 18, 2013, 7:15am

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SARASOTA, Fla. - Japanese left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada threw 20 pitches off a half-mound today and remained encouraged by his recovery from ligament-reconstructive surgery. Wada found out yesterday that he would throw from the half-mound, something he's done in the past while "taking it easy and having fun," he said through his interpreter/athletic trainer. "This was the first time actually throwing hard on the half-mound. About 70 percent to 80 percent," he said. "The plan for now I have heard is I will throw long toss and a half-mound again Wednesday and Friday, and starting next Monday, I will be on the mound. That's what I have heard. A regular mound." Wada didn't need an interpreter for the exchange that followed: Me: "You must be very excited." Wada (smiling): "Yes." Me: "Everything feels good?" Wada (still smiling): "Yes. Real good." The Orioles project that Wada won't pitch before May or June. "I do feel better day by day," he said. "There was a good tightness after I threw, in my elbow. It was a good tightness. This was a real good day for me."