masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgSARASOTA, 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…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.”