Relievers Kevin Jepsen and Scot Shields threw off mounds for the first time this spring on Wednesday, and both could pitch in games by next weekend, Manager Mike Scioscia said. Shields, who missed most of 2009 because of knee surgery, threw 20 pitches and will throw again Friday. Jepsen, who had a career-high 54 2/3 innings last season and experienced shoulder tendinitis in September, threw a 30-pitch session, all fastballs, and said his arm feels great. The hard-throwing 25-year-old also knows not to rush himself. "When you're younger, every time you throw off a mound you want to fire it," Jepsen said. "But now I'm taking my time, using my bullpen sessions instead of getting after it every time." Reliever Fernando Rodney, slowed by sore shins, was examined Thursday, and Scioscia said he expects the veteran right-hander to be throwing off a mound within a week. http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-angels-fyi-20100305,0,5879642.story
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