VIERA, Fla. — Chien-Ming Wang is back with the Washington Nationals but there’s no timetable for the right-hander’s return to the mound.

Nationals manager Jim Riggleman says Wang’s health will determine when he pitches. Wang is recovering from right shoulder surgery.

The 29-year-old pitcher played long toss with Jordan Zimmermann from about 120 feet for 20 minutes Monday morning. He also threw some soft pitches from both the stretch and windup from about 90 feet.

Wang signed a one-year, $2-million US deal last month that could earn him another $3 million in performance incentives. Wang was 1-6 with a 9.54 ERA for the New York Yankees last season.

The injury ended his 2009 season in late July.

K-Rod feeling better, returns to Mets camp

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — All-star closer Francisco Rodriguez returned to New York Mets camp on Monday after being hampered by pink eye for more than two weeks.

Rodriguez had been told to stay away from the team until the symptoms cleared, but the contagious infection took longer than expected to improve. He was sick when he reported to New York’s spring facility, but it went undiagnosed until just before full-squad workouts began Feb. 25.

The right-hander said he went to the doctor on Friday and was cleared to return Monday, although he still is infected. He continues to take eye drops and isn’t allowed to wear contacts yet.

“It feels much better,” Rodriguez said. “It’s still a little uncomfortable, but it’s good to be around. I was cleared to be around the guys, so it’s fine.”

While away from the team, Rodriguez was limited to playing catch with his brother Edward in the driveway of the closer’s home. But Rodriguez is not worried about his progress. He said he probably only needs one bullpen session before pitching in a game, and is looking forward to getting back into a regular routine.

Rodriguez last stepped on a mound about a week ago for a light bullpen session.

“It’s not the same thing playing catch as doing bullpens, being on the field and doing field drills,” Rodriguez said. “It’s completely different, but the good thing is I played winter ball and I am good.”

Rodriguez first had pink eye, or conjunctivitis, in his left eye but it quickly spread to the right eye. He said his entire family back in Venezuela has pink eye as well, and now his brother has it in both eyes.

Rodriguez plans to wear prescription sunglasses for a few weeks until his eyes feel completely healthy.

“The first couple days the infection was really strong, and I kind of lost the vision,” Rodriguez said. “It made it a little blurry, but right now I don’t have that, so it’s good.”

Rodriguez had 35 saves last year in his first season with New York, finishing with a 3-6 record and a career-worst 3.71 ERA.

Rivera has first batting practice session

TAMPA, Fla. — Yankees closer Mariano Rivera threw 34 pitches during his first batting practice session Monday.

Rivera has taken a slower approach at spring training for the past few years.

The 40-year old right-hander went 3-3 with 44 saves and a 1.76 ERA in 66 games last season.

Rivera will make the first of his eight or nine game appearances early next week.

Left-handed reliever Damaso Marte had his initial bullpen session, making 27 pitches.

Also, Nick Johnson was back in the lineup after missing the previous four games with lower back stiffness.

Guerrero feels good in Texas, says he has no hard feelings toward Angels

SURPRISE, Ariz. — Texas Rangers slugger Vladimir Guerrero says he has no hard feelings against the Los Angeles Angels.

Before the Rangers played Guerrero’s former team in a spring game Monday, the aging slugger said he feels good about joining Texas and hopes to stay healthy and have a good season.

The Angels showed little interest in retaining the eight-time all-star and former American League MVP. Guerrero had two stints on the disabled list last season and just turned 35.

Guerrero insists he doesn’t know if the Angels tried to retain him, but says he “played well” during his six seasons in Southern California.