Mike Gonzalez (shoulder) tossed a bullpen session on Wednesday and is scheduled to throw up to 40 pitches on Saturday.

Gonzalez is eligible to come off the disabled list on June 9, but will likely need until the middle of the month. With the woes at the back end of Baltimore's bullpen, his return can't come soon enough.

Mike Gonzalez (shoulder) is slated to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday.

Assuming Gonzalez suffers no setbacks, he'll throw an inning of a simulated or extended spring game on Saturday. Gonzalez is eligible to come off the disabled list on June 9, but is currently targeting for the middle of the month.

Rather than pitch in extended spring training games, Mike Gonzalez (shoulder) will throw long-toss for the next week or so.

We can safely call this a setback, given that Gonzalez was on his way to beginning a minor league rehab assignment. "He just doesn't have the arm strength he should have," manager Dave Trembley said. "Mike is fine with it, and we think if he does that for a week or so, his arm strength will come back to where it was." There's no timetable for his return, which is great for fantasy owners who were smart enough to snatch up interim closer Will Ohman.

Orioles transferred LHP Mike Gonzalez from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-disabled list.

The move clears room on the O's 40-man roster for Triple-A Norfolk closer Frank Mata, who will be brought up to the big leagues before Tuesday's game. Gonzalez is still several weeks from returning to the Orioles, so this shouldn't affect him much. He's now eligible to be activated on June 9.

Mike Gonzalez (shoulder) threw a scoreless inning in an extended spring training game on Thursday.

Gonzalez threw 11 out of 19 pitches for strikes while allowing one hit, walking one and striking out two. He unleashed his fastball, slider and changeup during the outing. "I wanted to get back out there and throw and see how it went. Obviously, there was no pain so it's definitely a plus for me," said Gonzalez. "I'm not looking at anything else right now except going out there pain-free, and it felt good, so I want to say overall it was a positive outing for me." He's expected to throw again on Saturday. With any luck, he could be activated from the disabled list next month.

Mike Gonzalez (shoulder) threw live batting practice on Monday.

Monday marked the first time Gonzo has thrown to live batters since his shoulder started barking. He's expected to throw an inning in an extended spring training game on Thursday. Provided he suffers no setbacks, Gonzalez is expected back sometime in June.

Orioles manager Dave Trembley indicated Wednesday that Mike Gonzalez (shoulder) is far from being able to throw off a mound.

Gonzalez began throwing from 60 feet last week. "He's on the throwing program," said manager Dave Trembley. "When he gets up on a mound, I'll let you know, but he's on a throwing program that's all flat ground." The O's closer is unlikely to return to the big leagues before the end of May. It's good news for Alfredo Simon owners, as he'll continue to man the ninth inning in Baltimore.

Mike Gonzalez (shoulder) has begun throwing from 60 feet on flat ground.

Baby steps. Gonzalez, who opened the season 1-for-3 in save opportunities, is aiming to rejoin the Orioles' bullpen around early June and, so far, appears to be right on track. He was placed on the disabled list retroactive to April 10 with a strained left shoulder. Alfredo Simon is doing most of the closing in Baltimore while Gonzalez is out and needs to be owned in all fantasy formats.

Mike Gonzalez has begun a throwing program as part of his rehab for his strained left shoulder.

MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli reports that the program will take about three weeks to complete and that Gonzalez would then head to the minors for a rehab assignment. Gonzalez didn't have much success as the Orioles closer earlier this season, but they've yet to find a solid replacement for him. Perhaps if he returns to them 100 percent healthy, he can still contribute the way the O's had hoped he could this season.

Mike Gonzalez is scheduled to have his shoulder looked at this week by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama.

Gonzalez was placed on the disabled list last week with a strained left shoulder. ""I think it's generally a good idea [to get a second opinion]," Orioles president Andy MacPhail said Tuesday. "You're not going to be available for a couple of weeks so why not? Let's get the information." The O's are hoping he will only be sidelined for about three weeks.

According to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun, Orioles closer Mike Gonzalez (shoulder) will be out "at least" three weeks.

Gonzalez underwent an MRI Thursday on his left shoulder that revealed a muscle strain. He's going to head to the Orioles' spring training complex once he is ready to begin rehabbing. We're under the impression that won't be for a while. Jim Johnson needs to be owned in all leagues.

Orioles placed LHP Mike Gonzalez on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left shoulder.

Mike Gonzalez is not available for Wednesday's game against the Rays and will see a team doctor.

Uh-oh. According to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun, Gonzalez was in the trainer's room with his shoulder iced. The O's are expected to provide another update on his status at some point this afternoon. Either way, it looks like he won't be closing any time soon. Feel free to grab Jim Johnson in most formats.

Orioles manager Dave Trembley said Mike Gonzalez will be held out of the closer role until he gets "some mechanical things straightened out."

Gonzalez left the team Sunday to attend the birth of his child and arrived before the first pitch on Tuesday. Trembley said he could be used anywhere from the seventh inning on. "The perfect scenario would be to be ahead 9-1 in the ninth and not have to worry about it," said Trembley. "We need a laugher." Gonzalez will resume the role once he rights himself, but Jim Johnson should get save chances in the interim.

Orioles closer Mike Gonzalez, who already has two blown saves this year, will be unavailable for the next two games.

The O's might keep him from high-pressure situations altogether for a week or so, with Jim Johnson serving as closer. Gonzalez still has the gig, and should remained owned in all fantasy formats, but he's struggling mightily and some media members have suggested that he might be hurt.

Mike Gonzalez blew his second save already after giving up two runs in the ninth Friday versus the Jays.

Gonzalez struggled to find his stuff this spring and still isn't where he should be, but since he claims he's pain-free, it figures that he'll get there eventually. The Orioles have to decide whether it's a good idea to keep giving him the ball in the ninth in the meantime. Gonzalez is going to be Baltimore's closer this year, but it'd make sense to take some pressure off him and turn to Jim Johnson for the next couple of weeks.