BRADENTON, Fla. - Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Oliver Perez, sidelined this spring because of stiffness in his left shoulder, threw off the mound for the first time Sunday morning.

Limited to fastballs, Perez threw 23 pitches in a five-minute session that was conducted indoors because of heavy rain.

"I feel so happy and good," Perez said. "Everything feels normal now."

Perez, 23, injured his shoulder earlier this month when he slept awkwardly on it the night before the first workout for pitchers and catchers. He began a moderate throwing program a few days later.

"The biggest concern was to make sure there were no problems with how his shoulder felt, and he said it felt great," pitching coach Spin Williams said. Williams oversaw the throwing session, while bullpen coach Bruce Tanner and manager Lloyd McClendon looked on.

"I wanted to see the extension of his arm and where his arm slot was and make sure it was in the right place," Williams said. "It was basic stuff to see where he is at this stage of camp."

McClendon also liked what he saw.

"He threw the ball extremely well," he said. "His command was better than I thought it was going to be. He was free and easy."

Perez will play catch Monday then increase his number of minutes off the mound Tuesday. He will throw at least two more times before being cleared to pitch in spring training games.

"We want to bring him along slowly and build him up to a point where he'll be ready for the season," McClendon.

Barring any setbacks, Perez likely will be the Pirates' opening day starter. In 2004, his first full major-league season, he was 12-10 with a 2.98 ERA and 239 strikeouts in 196 innings. He led all major-league starters in strikeouts per nine innings and finished sixth in the National League in ERA.

Because of his heavy workload last season, Perez did not pitch winter ball for the first time in his career and did little throwing in the winter.

"I tried not to do too much," Perez said. "I don't want to be hurt again. I want to be sure. The next time, I will throw a little harder and make sure I am ready to pitch in some games."

Perez appeared to be unhappy with the location of several throws, but Williams was pleased with how Perez finished the session.

"I wanted him to leave with a good feeling," Williams said. "He threw that last pitch pretty well. His mechanics were good and the ball came out of his hand clean."

NOTES:

Kip Wells is the scheduled starting pitcher Thursday when the Pirates open spring training play against the New York Yankees. Todd Ritchie also could pitch in the game. ... The Pirates have added a tune-up game Tuesday against Valparaiso University, manager Lloyd McClendon's alma mater. The team also has added a five-inning intrasquad game Friday morning. The Pirates also will play their annual tune-up against Bradenton's Manatee Community College on Wednesday before opening the official spring schedule against the Yankees.