Hensley could start throwing soon

The right-hander, who had surgery for a torn labrum this past off-season, could begin throwing off the mound as early as this week.

There's time time table for Clay Hensley's return, but just the fact that he will be returning, and doing so at 100%, is good news for the San Diego Padres. Hensley suffered through the injury last season, saying the pain was so bad that it hurt just to brush his teeth.

He's been throwing off flat ground including a few long toss sessions, but he's ready to get back on the mound, just to see how his shoulder is going to react.

I would expect Hensley to start the year on the 15-day DL, but he could be back as early as late April or perhaps the first part of May. Whenever he does come back, the Padres will get that much stronger with him on board.