Red Sox pitching feels fine, on time

Curt Schilling felt fine one day after throwing off a mound in Fort Myers, Fla., for the first time since his November ankle surgery.

Schilling, who had the torn sheath that surrounds his right ankle tendon repaired, threw 47 pitches on Thursday and is to throw off a mound again today. Manager Terry Francona said Friday that Schilling felt “no ill effects.”

Pitcher Wade Miller, signed by Boston as a free agent during the off-season, threw 180-foot tosses for the second day in a row, putting him ahead of his manager’s expectations

“He’s pushing getting to the mound,” Francona said. “I don’t think any of us quite thought he’d be ready to do that yet.”

Miller has been working out in Fort Myers since the beginning of the month. Francona said the difference is “night and day,” compared to where he was when the manager came to town on Feb. 11.

“I think he is buying into the program that’s going to strengthen his arm and get him where he needs to be,” Francona said.

Owner responds to Bonds’ comments

San Francisco Giants owner Peter Magowan realizes the questions about Barry Bonds’ possible use of steroids might diminish the regard for any records he sets.

“It saddens me. I’m sure it saddens Barry,” Magowan said in Scottsdale, Ariz. “But I don’t think it’s going to affect his performance, or the performance of the team. We lived under this cloud all of last year, and we did fine under that kind of adversity.”

Magowan wishes Bonds had been less combative in Tuesday’s news conference that dealt mostly with questions about steroids.

“I would have said some things maybe a little differently,” Magowan said. “But we have to remember this is a free country. People have a right to say what they think. I’m not the one under that kind of pressure and scrutiny that he was.”

Clearing the bases

Los Angeles closer Eric Gagne worked out despite the sprained knee ligament he suffered Thursday. An MRI exam confirmed the diagnosis … Pitcher Randy Johnson‘s scheduled batting practice session was pushed back one day to today by the New York Yankees to line him up for his first spring training start next week. … St. Louis pitcher Rick Ankiel threw to hitters for the first time in spring training. … Kerry Wood will make his third straight Opening Day start for the Chicago Cubs, manager Dusty Baker said.