The Associated Press

CHICAGO - Mark Prior threw for about five minutes on a flat surface Saturday before the Chicago Cubs played the Milwaukee Brewers.

"For the most part, I felt pretty good," Prior said.

Pitching coach Larry Rothschild also was encouraged.

"He threw pretty much without pain," Rothschild said. "He threw breaking balls, he threw some fastballs with arm acceleration to them, and everything came off pretty well."

Prior, who felt some aches, missed the first two months of the season with a sore right Achilles' tendon and tender elbow. He left Thursday night's game against Milwaukee in the second inning when he felt discomfort in the elbow.

Prior is to throw a more intense bullpen session today. The Cubs haven't decided if he will make his scheduled start Tuesday against NL Central-leading St. Louis.

"It's possible, but I would be very guarded," Rothschild said.

Prior was upset about speculation that he might need Tommy John elbow surgery.

"I know who I report to and I know who my family is as far as this organization is concerned, and they know what's going on in this locker room. They know what the facts are; people outside the locker room have no idea what is going on. People are writing irresponsibly and saying things irresponsible. They can say whatever they want, but they don't know the facts," Prior said.