MIAMI -- Disabled pitcher Jason Schmidt's recovery from a shoulder injury took a significant step on Thursday when he threw off a mound.

Schmidt started throwing breaking balls while playing catch with Brad Penny in the outfield during pregame warmups. Catcher Russell Martin took over for Penny and took some pitches in a crouch. Schmidt apparently felt so good that he took the mound in the Dodgers bullpen and made 20 pitches to bullpen coach Dan Warthen.

It's the first known time that Schmidt has climbed the mound since an April 14 start, after which, he went on the disabled list with right shoulder bursitis. He said all went well.

Schmidt still has a ways to go before he'll return to action for the Dodgers. He would need several full bullpen sessions, then throw to hitters in a simulated game, then several Minor League rehabilitation starts.

Schmidt was signed to a $47 million free-agent contract during the offseason and has made three starts, going 1-2 with a 7.36 ERA while allowing 17 hits and three home runs in 11 innings.