Rays pitching coach Jim Hickey said he was surprised how well RHP Troy Percival threw Wednesday in his first live batting practice session since offseason back surgery.

Percival threw 30 pitches in the 10-minute session, and Hickey said the veteran closer threw all of his pitches well. Hickey said Percival is right on track to make his first spring appearance Mar 12, and pointed out he may have as many as eight or nine spring outings, nearly as much as some of his healthy pitchers.

“I was a little bit surprised how well the threw," Hickey said. "For his first batting practice, he was more advanced than he even needs to be."

Hickey mentioned he thought Percival looked "a lot better" than at the end of last year, when Percival's back issues ended up forcing him to be left off the postseason roster. Percival also went through a "pseudo" version of PFPs, where he simulated fielding balls and covering bases.

"He looked today like he looked prior to all the little nagging injuries and things that he had," Hickey said.

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com