Big Unit Impresses In Audition

Randy Johnson called it an audition. The 44-year-old left-hander, who six months ago underwent his second back surgery in less than a year, threw off the mound Sunday. He pitched in front of manager Bob Melvin for the first time since his final, unsuccessful outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers last June.

"He came out throwing bullets the first pitch he threw," Melvin said. "As I've discussed before, the arm's not the issue here. I haven't talked to him since he finished, but I think he's probably pretty pleased with the way it went."

Johnson was satisfied with the outing, too.

"I'll just do what I'm doing," he said. "I continue to make progress. I'll throw again on Thursday, take three days off and play catch and do all my workouts, and gradually get in to the other little things I'm not doing now. ... The most important thing for me right now is to get on the mound."