Time to work out

VIERA, Fla. -- Pitchers and catchers may have reported two days ago, but spring training really begins today. Jim Riggleman and Mike Rizzo are currently holding a meeting inside the clubhouse with all the gathered player, setting the ground rules (as they are) for the spring. At 9:45 a.m., everyone will head to the practice fields down the rad for their first formal workout of the year.

These early workout sessions are geared entirely around the pitchers, with guys split up into groups and rotating between four different practice fields and the big bullpen. At each station, a different fundamental is practiced, from fielding bunts to covering first base to pickoff moves. It's all pretty mundane, but this is the time of year to work on this stuff, and every pitcher in every camp has to do it.

The bullpen sessions last about 10 minutes. Every pitcher throws every other day, all under the watchful eye of Steve McCatty, who roams behind the row of 10 mounds barking out orders.

Pitchers scheduled to throw today: Livan Hernandez, Ross Detwiler, Jordan Zimmermann, Garrett Mock, Chien-Ming Wang, Tom Gorzelanny, Adam Carr, Cole Kimball, Joe Bisenius, Drew Storen, Collin Balester, Tyler Clippard, J.D. Martin, Ryan Mattheus and Atahualpa Severino.

Everyone else will throw tomorrow, with one notable exception: Stephen Strasburg, who isn't allowed to throw off a mound yet. The rehabbing right-hander is here, though, and will be participating in all of the fundamental drills (avoiding any of the throwing parts). He's got his own throwing program, slowly ramping up on flat ground over the next several weeks before he's finally given the green light to begin pitching off a mound. Strasburg is scheduled to meet with media members this afternoon, so check back for his first thoughts of the spring.

Also be sure to check back later for observations and photos from the workout.