Originally Posted by MLB.com

JUPITER, Fla. -- Rusty after waiting more than a month to throw, Josh Johnson's first toss Wednesday was understandably a little off the mark.

The Marlins right-hander's throw was slightly low, but no one was complaining.

What's so encouraging is Johnson was back throwing from 60 feet off flat ground. It was his first tossing session since he felt discomfort above his elbow on Jan. 19.

Johnson was on a limited basic catch session. He made about 30 tosses in five minutes and immediately was told to stop. The team isn't pushing anything right now in attempts to build up the 6-foot-7 starter's arm strength.

"I felt fine. It's good. Step one," Johnson said.

Next up is seeing how he feels Thursday morning. If there is no discomfort, he will throw again off flat ground and then take Friday off.

If there is anything alarming on Thursday morning, he will rest another day.

Right now, just throwing again is a relief. Johnson felt something in the back of his arm -- in the lower triceps area -- in January.

"I'm going crazy not being able to throw, and hanging out here and not being able to help the team or anything," he said.

Manager Fredi Gonzalez said the trainers and pitching coach Rick Kranitz mentioned Johnson held up fine.

As a precaution, Johnson hesitates to even flip the ball underhand a short distance when he is doing fielding drills. He says he doesn't want to risk anything.