Marsh takes big step in recovery with first live BP session

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Alec Marsh, working his way back from right shoulder soreness, took the next step toward normalcy on Sunday when he faced hitters for the first time this spring, throwing all his pitches to four batters on the backfields at the Royals’ Spring Training complex.

“It’s been so long, so I was trying to keep everything simple,” Marsh said. “I think first batter, I kind of danced around a little bit. I was like, ‘No, that’s not good.’ So just got back in the zone, tried to pound the zone. Just get the feel for a hitter in a box, don’t try to do too much. I was really happy with it.”

Marsh has been delayed since the start of spring with right shoulder soreness, an injury he experienced over the offseason that caused him to shut down from throwing early. He was only playing catch the first part of camp, then progressed to bullpens on Feb. 24.

After four bullpens of varying intensity, Marsh was ready to face hitters on Sunday.

He’ll likely throw another live BP before he gets in game action, whether that’s in a Minor League spring game or a Cactus League appearance.

With 18 days to go until Opening Day in Kansas City, Marsh likely won’t be ready to break camp with the Royals; if everything goes well, he might only be built up to one or two innings at the end of Spring Training.

But pitching to hitters was the next box to check for Marsh’s recovery.

“I don’t feel like I’m that far behind either, the way stuff’s been progressing and how I’ve been recovering,” Marsh said. “It’s been good. I think that’s going to be the biggest thing, as we get into higher pitch counts, just making sure we’re on top of that and maybe look at it like it’s something that stays in the past.

“As far as the pitching goes, I feel great. I don’t think there will be any problem getting in a game here pretty soon and building up innings and trying to get out there.”