Josh Johnson

Josh Johnson (shoulder) began throwing five days ago.

It’s still early, but Johnson has not experienced any sort of abnormal pain or discomfort in his troublesome right shoulder thus far and should be ready to rock by the start of spring training next February. When healthy, he can be one of the most dominant starters in all of baseball.

Josh Johnson (shoulder) is scheduled to resume his throwing program at some point this weekend.

Johnson hasn’t felt discomfort in his surgically-repaired shoulder for a couple of months and is fully expecting to be back to 100 percent health by the start of spring training next February. He’ll be a high-risk, high-reward fantasy draft selection heading into the 2012 season.

Josh Johnson (shoulder surgery) is expected to resume his throwing program in two weeks.

“The shoulder feels great,” Johnson told MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro this weekend. “I haven’t felt anything in a long time.” He’ll have to make it through the throwing program without setbacks to generate confidence that everything with his shoulder is back to normal, but for now the 27-year-old ace is on track for the start of spring training.

Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest said Josh Johnson (shoulder) remains on track to be ready for the beginning of spring training.

Johnson landed on the DL in mid-May due to shoulder inflammation and never made it back, though Beinfest indicated that JJ was close to returning late in the year if the team hadn’t “ran out of time to get him into competitive situations.” Added Beinfest, “Right now, we’re anticipating him being ready to go at 100 percent in the spring. Again, you never know how things will go, but we’re optimistic based on the way he finished up and the way he felt. It seemed like he’s pushed through whatever was bothering him in the shoulder. He’s gotten by that.”