The Associated Press

CHICAGO - Chicago Cubs pitcher Mark Prior threw off a mound Wednesday for the first time since March 22.

Prior, on the disabled list because of a sore Achilles' tendon and tender elbow, threw 10 pitches off the mound before the Cubs' game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He also threw in the outfield.

"It's just a baby step," Prior said. "The progress is I at least had a release point today where I had an idea where the ball was going. My long toss felt pretty good. My arm strength is getting closer to where I'd like it to be. It feels all right now. I don't expect to wake up any different tomorrow."

The Cubs are hoping to have the 23-year-old right-hander back by early to mid-May. Prior was 18-6 with a 2.43 ERA last year as the Cubs came within five outs of the World Series.

"We're going to take it slow," Prior said. "We're not going to push it."

PHILLIES: Jimmy Rollins is back in the leadoff spot - for now at least.

In his latest lineup shuffle, manager Larry Bowa flip-flopped Rollins, who was batting seventh, and Marlon Byrd in the batting order. Rollins will have to wait another day to bat first because Wednesday night's game against the Reds was rained out.

"It's fun to lead off," Rollins said. "It's a different type of pressure. There's prestige with leading off. You have to try to set the table."

Byrd hit .317 in 74 games from the leadoff spot as a rookie last year. But he batted just .200 (5-for-25) with seven strikeouts in six games at the top of the order this season.

The Phillies, off to a 1-6 start, are struggling on offense, and have scored just 16 runs for an average of 2.3 a game.

TIGERS: Closer Ugueth Urbina was recalled from the minors Wednesday after signing as a free agent March 27.

The Tigers also designated outfielder Andres Torres for assignment. He played in three games with Detroit after his contract was purchased from Triple-A Toledo on April 7.

Urbina appeared in two games with Class A Lakeland, allowing three unearned runs on three hits in two innings.

Urbina split last season between Texas and Florida, going 3-4 with a 2.81 ERA and 32 saves in 72 appearances. He pitched in 10 games during the postseason for the World Series champion Marlins, going 1-0 with a 3.46 ERA and four saves.

RED SOX: Derek Lowe will skip a turn so everyone else in the Boston rotation can stay on schedule.

A second consecutive rainout Wednesday forced the Red Sox to reschedule Lowe's start for Sunday. Lowe was originally scheduled to pitch Tuesday before that game was called off; he last pitched April 7, so he will have 10 days' rest between starts.

"I feel like I'll be stealing money. I haven't done anything," he said.

Sidney Ponson, who had been slated to start for Baltimore, will pitch Thursday against Pedro Martinez.

Tim Wakefield remains scheduled to start Boston's series opener Friday against the New York Yankees' Javier Vazquez.

Curt Schilling pitches Saturday against Mike Mussina, Lowe goes Sunday against Jose Contreras, and Bronson Arroyo pitches Monday's 11 a.m. Patriots Day game against Kevin Brown.

GIANTS: Ace Jason Schmidt is to make his first start of the season Friday. He has been bothered by shoulder soreness, but manager Felipe Alou hopes he'll go five or six innings.

"For everybody on the staff to the pitchers, we feel more relaxed with him - knowing he's going to be there every five days," Alou said.

SHORT HOPS: The Blue Jays recalled right-handed pitcher Jason Frasor from Triple-A Syracuse and sent right-hander Sean Douglass to the SkyChiefs.

Frasor has a 2.25 ERA with six strikeouts over four innings in three games this season.

• The Royals' starting staff is winless through eight games. Kansas City's 1992 rotation didn't win until the 18th game.

• The Cubs optioned left-handed pitcher Andy Pratt to Triple-A Iowa before the game and recalled right-hander Francis Beltran. Pratt, acquired from the Braves on March 25, had a 21.60 ERA in four games for the Cubs.

• Texas pitcher Mickey Callaway was put on the 15-day disabled list, a day after he gave up six runs in 1 1/3 innings in a loss to Oakland.

The Rangers recalled right-hander Ryan Drese from Triple-A.