Jose Contreras (elbow) threw a bullpen session Monday.

Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee was on hand for the workout and told reporters that it went "real well." Contreras, coming off September elbow surgery, is aiming to be ready for the start of the regular season.

Jose Contreras (elbow) thinks he could be ready to pitch in games by the second week of spring training.

The right-hander, who is coming back from from surgery to remove bone chips and also repair the flexor tendon in his right elbow, said he felt even stronger in the bullpen session Friday than he did in his first session Tuesday. "He threw really well today," Amaro said. "We were very encouraged with how he threw. More importantly, he was really encouraged. That's real important. Once you go through a surgery, there's always some tentativeness there." Barring a setback, it looks like Contreras should be ready for Opening Day.

Jose Contreras (elbow) had a "smooth" bullpen session on Tuesday morning in Phillies camp.

It was his first time on a mound since undergoing September elbow surgery. The Phillies can't say for certain whether Contreras will be ready by Opening Day, but he's currently on a good pace in his recovery.

Jose Contreras will throw off a mound Tuesday for the first time since his September elbow surgery.

Contreras made throws from the front of a mound on Monday in Phillies camp and reported no issues. On Tuesday, he'll take the next step. Contreras is hoping to be fully healthy by the start of the regular season.

Jose Contreras (elbow surgery) has been cleared to begin a throwing program on Friday.

The veteran right-hander received clearance after visiting with Phillies physician Michael Ciccotti Thursday. Recovering from surgery to remove bone chips and also repair the flexor tendon in his right elbow, there's currently no timetable for when Contreras will be ready, but general manager Ruben Amaro said he should "know more within the next month."

Jose Contreras (elbow surgery) is expected to begin a throwing program in early January.

Contreras was limited to 17 appearances in 2011 due to issues with his right elbow. He has a checkup with team physicians soon after New Year's Day and will try to get back on a normal routine soon after. The 40-year-old right-hander is under contract for the 2012 season at a salary of $2.5 million.

Phillies relief pitcher Jose Contreras will begin forearm strengthening exercises next week.

Contreras had season-ending elbow surgery after being sidelined for most of June with a right forearm strain. In his 17 games he earned five saves and posted a 3.86 ERA. He's on track to begin throwing by the beginning of January.

Phillies activated RHP Jose Contreras from the 60-day disabled list.

Contreras is coming off an injury-plagued season that saw him appear in just 17 games. He's recovering from surgery to remove bone chips and also repair the flexor tendon in his right elbow and might not be ready for the beginning of the 2012 campaign. He's set to earn $2.5 million next season and the Phillies have a $2.5 million option on him for 2013.

Jose Contreras (elbow surgery) might not be ready for the beginning of next season.

Contreras had surgery Friday to remove bone chips and also repair the flexor tendon in his right elbow. The Phillies will have a better idea on a timetable for the right-hander when he meets with team physician Michael Ciccotti on Monday, but the typical recovery period for that type of procedure lasts 4-6 months.

Phillies transferred RHP Jose Contreras from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list.

He was cleared to make room for the newly-acquired John Bowker on the active roster. Contreras is slated to undergo elbow surgery Friday in Los Angeles, but hopes to pitch again in 2012. The veteran right-hander is under contract for $2.5 million next season.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro confirmed Tuesday that Jose Contreras does not have any ligament damage in his elbow.

According to Amaro, Contreras' injury could be related to a muscle or tendon. The veteran right-hander is currently set to undergo season-ending exploratory surgery on his elbow.

Jose Contreras needs elbow surgery and is done for the season.

Not a shock, given his setback during a bullpen session Monday. While Contreras believes he will be back next season, he wont know for sure until he undergoes the procedure. For what it's worth, the veteran right-hander is confident that he does not have any ligament damage.

Jose Contreras (forearm) is headed back to the doctor after experiencing a setback during his bullpen session Monday.

The bullpen session was already pushed back once, so Contreras is obviously still having issues. The Phillies were hoping to have the veteran right-hander available for the stretch run and the postseason, but it's pretty clear they won't be able to count on him.

Jose Contreras (forearm) had his scheduled weekend bullpen session pushed back to Monday.

The Phillies are treading lightly with the veteran setup man, and decided to move the workout back a few days as a precautionary measure. If he can avoid setbacks, Contreras should be ready to rock by mid-September.

Phillies GM Ruben Amaro is pleased with Jose Contreras' (forearm) progress.

Contreras has been playing catch and feels fine, but there's no timetable for when he'll throw from a mound. "We're going to take it pretty slow with them," Amaro said. "There's no rush. We want to make sure they're healthy when they get back on the mound."

Jose Contreras (forearm) played catch on flat ground Sunday for a second straight day.

Contreras is slowly but surely making progress in his recovery from a right forearm strain. The Phillies still aren't sure on an exact timetable, though, and he probably won't be ready until late August or early September.

There remains no timetable for Jose Contreras' (forearm) return.

Contreras was tentatively scheduled to play catch earlier this week, but it's not clear if that actually took place or not. He was given a second platelet-rich-plasma injection last week in hopes that it would help expedite his recovery process, but he appears to be stalling again. His season is in question.

Jose Contreras (forearm) is tentatively scheduled to play a game of catch on Tuesday afternoon.

Contreras was given a second platelet-rich-plasma injection last week and the Phillies are hoping that it will help expedite his recovery process. The right-hander is aiming to return to the Philadelphia bullpen before the end of the regular season and is currently on track.

Jose Contreras (forearm) will be given another platelet-rich-plasma injection on Tuesday.

Contreras has been on the disabled list since mid-June with a forearm injury and is struggling to make progress. The Phillies are hoping a second injection will help, but there is no guarantee. He remains out indefinitely.

Jose Contreras (forearm) was given a platelet-rich-plasma injection Friday.

It's not clear when Contreras will be able to start a throwing program, but the Phillies are obviously hoping the injection will help speed along the process. There have been rumors that the reliever might not return this season, but the team has given no such indication that that is the case.