Smith (elbow) will throw off a mound next Monday for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery last May, Jen McCaffrey of MassLive.com reports.
The 27-year-old Smith has been throwing off flat ground out to 120 feet and is now ready to check the next box in his recovery. He'll throw only fastballs during his first mound work before progressing to his changeup and slider. Once he throws all of his pitches off a mound, Smith will likely stay back in Florida to face live batters in extended spring training followed by a minor league rehabilitation assignment.