Update on free agent reliever Chad Cordero

LAS VEGAS -- The agent for reliever Chad Cordero said the right-hander is "progressing very nicely" in his throwing program and that he expects the former Washington Nationals closer to fully recover from shoulder surgery by around March 1.

The Angels are one of several teams monitoring Cordero, who pitched in only six games in 2008 before undergoing surgery to repair a shoulder tear on July 8. Cordero, a former Cal State Fullerton standout, saved 113 games for the Nationals from 2005-2007, including a superb 2005 season in which he went 2-4 with a 1.82 earned run average and 47 saves.

Larry Reynolds, who represents Cordero, said Cordero, a 26-year-old free agent, is in the third week of his throwing program and is playing catch from 50-70 feet.

"The temptation is to move him along quickly, but we don't want to rush it," Reynolds said. "We want to keep in mind that he has 10 years in front of him, not one year."

-- Mike DiGiovanna