Phillies' Roy Halladay throws off mound for first time since May 15 surgery

Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay threw 20 pitches on Sunday, a major step in his recovery from shoulder surgery. (Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay threw off a mound in a 20-pitch bullpen session on Sunday for the first time since he underwent shoulder surgery on May 15.

The session represented a significant step in his recovery from a bone spur and partial rotator cuff tear, from which he hopes to return in September.

He began his workout by long-tossing in the outfield, which he has done since the first week of July. All of the pitches he threw in the bullpen were fastballs, according to CSNPhilly.com's Jim Salisbury.

From the report:

Drenched in sweat as he returned to the clubhouse after the workout, Halladay offered only a quick, “Good,” when asked how he felt. Halladay has been long-tossing for a couple of weeks and has continually said that he feels good. After recent workouts, pitching coach Rich Dubee has remarked that Halladay’s range of motion is much improved and that has led to a higher arm angle in his delivery. That was missing the last couple of seasons as Halladay dealt with shoulder issues.

Dubee liked what he saw of Halladay’s bullpen workout Sunday, but he stressed that the pitcher still has a long way to go.

The Phillies examined only Halladay's delivery and not his velocity, according to the report.

When asked when the two-time Cy Young Award winner -- who labored to an 8.65 ERA in seven starts this season before surgery -- would return, Dubee stressed that “he’ll be back when he’s ready to be back," depending on how he holds up physically and how his delivery looks.

“I’m not looking at velocity at all,” Dubee said. “I’m looking at his arm path and making sure he can get his arm up to where it needs to be. Ever since Day 1, it has been very encouraging because his range of motion has been phenomenal. His arm slot is closer to where it was in 2010. It’s probably a good eight to 12 inches higher.”

Dubee said Halladay would throw another bullpen in a few days, depending on how he feels.

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