Athletics ace Duchscherer back on the mound

PHOENIX (AP)—Oakland Athletics ace Justin Duchscherer tested his sore right elbow Friday, throwing 25 pitches in the bullpen.

“I’m excited, because it’s the first time I’ve thrown with some velocity without pain,” he said. “That’s certainly a positive sign.”

Duchscherer, who had not thrown in more than three weeks, threw all of his pitches at about 90 percent full velocity. He is not sure what the next step will be for him, but he is at least a week from getting into an exhibition game.

It is too late for Duchscherer to be ready to start the season in the A’s rotation, but there has been some talk about him beginning the season in the bullpen.

“The only way I’d pitch out of relief is to build my pitch count up to start,” Duchscherer said. “I don’t want to be a reliever. I’d rather help the team by throwing two, three innings (while working toward the rotation), whatever I can. Ultimately that’s up to them. Whatever they think is best.”