Nick Masset (shoulder) made 30 throws from a distance of 60 feet on Thursday.

It was his first throwing session since being shut down in mid-April with renewed shoulder soreness. "I was about as encouraged as I could be for throwing on the first day," said Masset. He's scheduled to make another 30 throws Friday. There is no timetable for his return.

Nick Masset (shoulder) will try to throw this week.

Masset has been sidelined all year with a sore shoulder and isn't anywhere close to joining the Cincinnati 'pen. Beginning a throwing program will be the first step.

Nick Masset (shoulder) has yet to be cleared to begin throwing.

Masset has been on the disabled list all season due to a sore shoulder and it doesn't sound like he'll join the Reds' bullpen in the near future. "We're waiting for that," said Reds pitching coach Bryan Price. "We want to make sure he's healthy before he starts throwing again."

An MRI taken Wednesday night on Nick Masset's right shoulder showed an unhealed strain.

Masset remains shut down indefinitely, and won't reach his goal of rejoining the Reds' bullpen by early May. The 29-year-old setup man registered a 3.71 ERA and 62/31 K/BB ratio across 70 1/3 innings last year. There is no timetable for his return.

Nick Masset (shoulder) is aiming to resume his throwing program by the end of this week.

Masset was shut down earlier this month after experiencing tenderness in his right shoulder, but dual MRIs have ruled out structural damage and he should begin making progress again in the next couple of days. He's on pace to join the Reds' bullpen in early May.

Nick Masset felt renewed tenderness in his right shoulder recently after trying to resume throwing.

Masset has refocused on building strength in his arm and won't attempt to throw again for another few days. The setup man was expected to be ready by the end of April, but his rehab might now linger into May.

Nick Masset (shoulder) has not resumed throwing.

Masset was eligible to be activated from the disabled list Tuesday, but he's still at least a week away. "My shoulder feels great," he told reporters Tuesday afternoon. "It's really strong. All the inflammation is out of there. There's no pain. I should be able to start throwing soon."

Reds manager Dusty Baker indicated Nick Masset (shoulder) could be activated off the disabled list Tuesday.

Masset was shutdown in spring training and hasn't pitched in a game since March 22. He'd likely need some innings in the minors before he's ready to return.

Reds placed RHP Nick Masset on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 26, with a sore right shoulder.

Masset battled shoulder inflammation all spring and was shut down indefinitely last week. The Reds are hoping that he'll be ready to join the bullpen in mid-April.

Reds manager Dusty Baker confirmed Wednesday that Nick Masset (shoulder) will begin the season on the disabled list.

Masset sat out 12 days after originally feeling soreness on March 7, but he has been shut down again after making two recent appearances. "The MRI showed it's not the rotation cuff, not the labrum," said Baker. "It's just inflammation. He'll rest a week. Hopefully, he'll miss a minimal amount of time." While the Reds hope his absence is brief, this is another tough blow for a bullpen that will be without closer Ryan Madson (Tommy John surgery) for the entire season. The team recently had free agent left-hander Mike Gonzalez come in for a tryout.

Nick Masset has been shut down due to a strained right shoulder.

Masset was sidelined earlier this spring due to shoulder soreness, but managed to make it back for two appearances before the issue flared up again. There's no current timetable for his return, but the disabled list appears likely at this point.

Nick Masset (shoulder) is expected to appear in Monday's Cactus League game for the Reds.

Masset was shut down for a few days with shoulder soreness, but he's thrown bullpen sessions without issues and is ready to get back into game action. Barring a setback, he'll be fine for Opening Day.

Nick Masset (shoulder) threw 30 pitches in a bullpen session Friday.

The Reds backed off Masset for a couple days last week due to shoulder soreness, but he has ramped things back up over the past couple of days. Barring any setbacks, it's possible he could return to game action next week.

Nick Masset (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Wednesday.

"Everything was coming out free and loose," said Masset. "I'm throwing all of my pitches and I feel really strong." Masset was shut down for a couple days last week due to shoulder soreness, but he should return to game action soon.

Nick Masset (shoulder) played a round of long-toss on Tuesday morning in Reds camp.

Masset was idle for a couple straight days due to right shoulder soreness. But it was never a big concern. The 29-year-old posted a 3.71 ERA in 70 1/3 innings last year and will act as a setup man this year for Cincinnati.

Nick Masset won't throw for a few days due to shoulder soreness.

Masset seems to think it's routine soreness and he'll be back on a mound soon enough. The 29-year-old right-hander posted a 3.71 ERA and 62/31 K/BB ratio over 70 1/3 innings last season and is projected to pitch in a set-up role again in 2012.

The Reds and RHP Nick Masset avoided arbitration by agreeing to a two-year, $5.5 million contract.

The deal buys out Masset's final two years of arbitration eligibility. He has a 3.07 ERA and 8.5 K/9 in over 240 innings of relief for the Reds and should remain a solid setup man before hitting free agency after 2013.

Nick Masset requested $2.9 million and was offered $2.1 million from the Reds when arbitration figures were exchanged Tuesday.

Masset just completed a two-year, $2.58 million contract which covered his first two years of arbitration. The 29-year-old right-hander posted a 3.71 ERA and 62/31 K/BB ratio over 70 1/3 innings as a set-up man in 2011. Look for the two sides to find middle ground in the coming days.

Nick Masset gave up one hit in a scoreless ninth inning, earning the save Tuesday against the Cubs.

No need to add him to your fantasy roster. Francisco Cordero had pitched four straight days heading into Tuesday, so naturally the Reds' stud closer earned a much-needed break. Expect Cordero to be ready on Wednesday, and expect Masset and his three blown saves and 4.38 ERA to return to middle relief.

Nick Masset notched his second save of the season in a win over the Cubs on Saturday.

Masset entered the game with one out in the ninth after Francisco Cordero walked the bases loaded and then proceeded to hit Starlin Castro to force in a run. Masset struck out Derrek Lee, but then walked Aramis Ramirez with the bases loaded to bring the Cubs within one run. He was finally able to strike out Marlon Byrd to end it. Cordero's job is pretty safe, but with a 2.48 ERA since the start of May, there's little doubt that Masset is the best pitcher in the Reds' bullpen right now.