When he was done with his first batting practice session of spring training Monday, he chatted with Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek between the mound and home plate. Then Penny met briefly with pitching coach John Farrell beside the batting cage.

"Today was an encouraging step for him," Farrell said.

Boston's new right-hander had thrown 30 pitches - fastballs, breaking balls and splitters - and stayed on track to be ready for the start of the regular season.

"I felt great," Penny said. "Today, for me, answered a lot of questions, mentally and physically. I didn't even know what to expect going out there the first time facing hitters, but everything felt great."

The Red Sox hope his windup style - start slowly and end with a surge - mirrors his season.

With a strong rotation, they're not rushing Penny, whose shoulder problems limited him to 19 games last season with the Los Angeles Dodgers and just nine innings after June 14.

He's throwing off a mound every third day while nearly all other Boston pitchers are doing it every second day. But he's working hard on his conditioning and the rest of the program the team has set up for him.

And that's what Farrell cares about, not about Los Angeles coach Larry Bowa's comments that Penny was lazy and out of shape and missed meetings. The Red Sox signed him to a one-year, $5 million contract after the Dodgers didn't pick up his option.

"I have really no reaction to what feedback is coming from the Dodgers," Farrell said. "What we have to base our judgments on are what he shows us day in and day out. ... There have been no issues as far as him fitting in and matching the intensity the other pitchers are showing around him."

Boston RedSox News News » Penny feels fine after throwing batting practice 2009-02-24
Penny feels fine after throwing batting practice 2009-02-24
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) - Brad Penny began his slow windup, then accelerated and fired the ball past the hitter, showing no signs that his shoulder had ever been hurt. MLB Spring Training