Reds' Sean Marshall dealing with setback in his comeback

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- When you're coming back from shoulder surgery — like left-hander Sean Marshall is — it's not always a straight line toward getting back to form.

Marshall was moving along pretty well from his June 24 shoulder surgery. And then ...

"Two weeks ago, I was doing three sets of long-tossing from 120 feet, feeling pretty good. But I kind of had a little soreness in my shoulder. I got out here (to Arizona) Feb. 6. I had to slow down a bit. I'm not on the mound yet.

"Hopefully, I'll resume pretty quick and finish that long-toss session of the rehab, then throw on some flat ground and be on the mound soon."

Marshall was limited to 15 appearances last year and 16 appearances in 2013 by the shoulder problem. After three stints on the disabled list and lots of strengthening and throwing work, he finally had the surgery.

Marshall wasn't discouraged by the setback, and he's pleased with how things have gone overall.

"I've been progressing," Marshall said. "I had an offseason full of therapy. I had a good therapist up in Chicago and the docs and therapists here. I had a good offseason."

Marshall is in the final year of his three-year extension with the Reds. If he can get back to being the guy who put up a 2.51 ERA over 73 appearances for the Reds in 2012, it would be huge for the Reds.

First he's got to get where he can throw without soreness. He hopes to begin throwing with the rest of the pitchers on Thursday."

"I've had some small road bumps, really just from throwing and exercising," he said. "That slowed me down a little bit. I'll be back track probably (Thursday)."