Justin Duchscherer (hip) played a successful game of catch Sunday.

"The Duke of Hurl" reported no abnormal pain or discomfort in his surgically-repaired hip and will probably try to advance to a bullpen session early this week. He was shut down for the past two days because of hip soreness.

Justin Duchscherer (hip) will play catch Sunday.

The O's shut Duchscherer down for a couple of days due to soreness in his surgically-repaired hip. He admitted to reporters that he has grown frustrated with the slow recovery process, which may delay his availability for Grapefruit League action.

Justin Duchscherer has been shut down for the next two days due to soreness in his hip.

Not good. Duchsherer is recovering from surgery on his left hip, and he previously has had his right hip surgically-repaired twice. He's been doing extra stretched in order to keep the hip loose, but that evidently wasn't enough to keep the soreness from cropping up. It's possible this is just a minor speed bump for the right-hander, but any injury, especially to his hip, can't be taken lightly. He'll be reevaluated in a couple days.

Justin Duchscherer "felt awesome" throwing to live hitters on Thursday.

"I feel like I'm not behind," said Duchscherer, who underwent season-ending hip surgery last June. "The last couple of years, I've been behind. Just to be on regular schedule with everybody else, to do what they're doing, feels good ... When I'm healthy, this is where I should be. The last couple of years, I haven't had that luxury. I feel like I'm exactly where I should be to be ready when the season starts." Duchscherer did some stretches after his throwing session in order to keep his hip loose. His health remains a major question mark, but he could prove to be an excellent bargain for the Orioles.

Orioles signed RHP Justin Duchscherer.

The signing was reported Sunday but is now official after Duchscherer passed a physical -- something that wasn't a sure thing given his past injury problems. It's a terrific low-risk move for the O's, as Duke is guaranteed only $1.1 million if he makes the Opening Day roster. He could net a possible $4.5 million if he reaches all of his incentives. It's a major question as to whether or not he can stay healthy, as he's made just five starts over the last two seasons, but Duchscherer has significant upside, as his 2.60 ERA over 27 starts since 2008 can attest.

Justin Duchscherer is scheduled to take a physical with the Orioles on Wednesday.

This isn't your usual formality, given his injury history. If he passes, the 33-year-old right-hander would be guaranteed $750,000 from the Orioles. His salary would bump up to $1.1 million if he makes the Opening Day roster, and he could earn a total of $4.5 million if he reaches all of his incentives. As of now, he's projected to be the O's fourth starter this season.

The Orioles and Justin Duchscherer have come to terms on a one-year deal, according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.

Duchscherer will be guaranteed $750,000 even if he doesn't throw a pitch for Baltimore. The guarantee will up to $1.1 million if he makes the Opening Day roster, and he can earn $4.5 million in all. If Duchscherer is healthy, he'll probably be the team's fourth starter, leaving Jake Arrieta and Chris Tillman battling for one spot.

ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reports that the Nationals and Orioles are out in front in the pursuit of Justin Duchscherer.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported earlier Sunday that the O's were in the lead, but Crasnick says the Nats are "making a strong push." The tall right-hander has narrowed his list down to four teams, but it appears he has two favorites. Duchscherer should make his decision soon.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Orioles are in the lead for free agent Justin Duchscherer.

Rosenthal says Duchscherer has at least one major league offer, and one of them is from the Orioles. He threw for Baltimore and another team on Friday, and he's scheduled to audition again on Tuesday. The big right-hander has made just five starts over the last two seasons due to injuries, but he has arguably the best upside of any pitcher still left on the market.

Free agent Justin Duchscherer (hip) threw for two teams Friday, one of which was the Orioles.

Duchscherer threw 50-55 pitches and also ran and did other drills. He'll have another workout Tuesday, and every major league team has been invited. The big right-hander has said that he's "pretty much 100 percent" recovered from hip surgery and wants to be a starting pitcher. He could wind up being a nice low-risk/high-reward option if he can manage to stay healthy.

Justin Duchscherer (hip) feels "pretty much 100 percent" and wants to be a starting pitcher.

"For me it's black and white," explained Duchscherer. "I want to start; that's the whole mind-set I have. I haven't even thought of being a reliever," he added. "I want a team that's going to be honest with me and say, 'If you're healthy, you are going to start.'" Duchscherer, who is currently working his way back from hip surgery, has already thrown for five teams and will toss a bullpen session with the Orioles on Friday. The Yankees remain in the mix and Duchscherer says his previous depression issues wouldn't prevent him from playing in New York.

Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com reports that the Orioles are "still in play" for free agent right-hander Justin Duchscherer.

The club will watch him throw a bullpen session on Friday, but they aren't alone in their interest. According to Ghiroli, five teams are interested in the oft-injured right-hander. Duchscherer has pitched a grand total of 28 innings of the last two seasons, but he's one of the best low-cost/high-upside options left on the market.

According to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles "have some interest" in free agent right-hander Justin Duchscherer.

The Sun points out that "one of the pitcher's priorities is to pitch closer to his son," who happens to live in South Jersey. Additionally, Duchscherer wants to be a starter and that's an area where the Orioles could use some upgrades. The 33-year-old's recent injuries are cause for concern, but he has been exceptional when healthy. If he does start somewhere this season, he will be a fantasy risk with slight potential for a very high upside.

Justin Duchscherer held private workouts for two American League clubs this week in Phoenix, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick.

Duchscherer threw off a mound and performed agility drills in an attempt to show the two teams that he is rehabbed from hip surgery. The right-hander drew interest from the Yankees earlier this winter, but they were not one of the clubs involved. He should begin to pick up more interest as GMs look to the scrap heap for depth. Duchscherer carries a 3.13 career ERA.

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reports that the Yankees are stepping up their pursuit of free agent right-hander Justin Duchscherer.

It's not clear if they want him to start or relieve. Our guess is that depends on Andy Pettitte's retirement status. Duchscherer, 33, has battled a range of troubling injuries over the last season seasons and made only five starts for the A's in 2010 before requiring hip surgery, but he is dynamite when healthy and is expected to be fine by the time spring training rolls around. The righty boasts a stellar 3.13 career ERA and 1.14 career WHIP.

According to Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates have expressed interest in free agent right-hander Justin Duchscherer.

Duchscherer made only five starts with the A's this past season before needing hip surgery in June. The Red Sox have also expressed interest in Duchscherer, but the 32-year-old right-hander has informed teams that he only wants to start. This gives the Pirates a leg up, as they have the clear need for a starting pitcher and would be wise to invest in a high-risk, high-reward type.

According to WEEI.com, free agent Justin Duchscherer has informed interested teams that he only wants to start.

Duchscherer has worked as a reliever in the past, but he prefers starting and should get his wish in a thin free agent market. The Red Sox have expressed interest but might only be willing to offer him a role in long relief. The 32-year-old posted a 2.89 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in five starts this past year.

According to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com, the Red Sox have expressed interest in free agent righty Justin Duchscherer.

Duchscherer made only five starts this year and missed all of the 2009 season because of injury issues, but he's always been effective when healthy and should come cheap. The 32-year-old righty is expected to be fully recovered from hip surgery by the start of spring training next February. He inked a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the A's prior to the 2010 season.

Justin Duchscherer (hip) hopes to begin throwing off a mound in about a month.

Duchscherer, who underwent surgery on his left hip in early June, has already begun throwing from a distance of 90 feet. He fully intends to pitch next season. "When I'm healthy, I've always proven that I can pitch," said Duchscherer. "The thing I have to prove is that I can stay healthy. I haven't shown that yet. That's the worst part about that, being a baseball player and knowing I can do it but not physically being able to. So that's my goal, whether it's here or somewhere else. I'm a baseball player, and I'd like to pitch at least a few more years. I'm too young to try to move on to something else." Duchscherer made just five starts this season and missed the entire 2009 season, so he'll have to take an incentive-laden deal with a low guarantee this winter.

Justin Duchscherer says his rehab from hip surgery is going well.

He's not sure, though, when he'll be cleared to begin throwing off the mound. Duchscherer will not pitch again this season but should be ready for spring training. He's a huge injury risk going forward no matter how well his rehab goes.