PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) -Mets right-hander Mike Pelfrey returned to the mound Tuesday after being sidelined by a sore right leg.
Pelfrey was struck on the outside of the knee by a comebacker during his first spring start Saturday. He stayed in the game against the Nationals and pitched three innings, but he pushed a scheduled bullpen session back a day because the leg was sore.
Pelfrey said he still had a large bruise but was planning to make his next scheduled start Thursday against the Red Sox.
``It's a little sore but tolerable,'' he said. ``Hopefully after two more days it will feel a lot better.''
Pitching coach Dan Warthen surprised Pelfrey during his bullpen session by hitting grounders to him after his pitches in order to test the leg in a game-like situation. Pelfrey said he had no problems pitching or fielding.
``I felt good on the mound,'' he said. ``It felt weird taking two days off and then throwing again, but everything was fine.''
Closer Francisco Rodriguez, who missed more than two weeks of camp with conjunctivitis, also threw a bullpen session. It was his first time on a mound since Feb. 28.
Rodriguez returned to camp Monday and could pitch in a game as soon as Saturday.
``This is my Day 1 basically - Day 1 after two or three weeks of practice,'' Rodriguez said. ``I feel good. That's the main thing.''
Rodriguez was pleased with the workout, especially his location, and said he didn't feel rusty despite being limited to flat ground while away from the team.
``The ball was coming out of my hand well,'' Rodriguez said. ``The location was great, so I am happy with the results. I have to go back there tomorrow, and we will see how I feel.''
Rodriguez, who is scheduled for another bullpen Wednesday, still has pink eye but it's no longer considered contagious. Because he isn't allowed to wear contact lenses yet, he sported prescription sunglasses similar to the ones he wore from 2003-07 while pitching for the Angels.
He said he has to adjust to wearing the glasses, but he plans to wear them at least for a couple more weeks.
``My best years in the American League were wearing those goggles, so hopefully it will be that way over here,'' Rodriguez said.
