Reds Closer Francisco Cordero Feels Discomfort

Reds closer Francisco Cordero -- coming off surgery last September to remove bone spurs from his foot -- threw off a mound briefly and experienced lingering discomfort, according to WLW Radio in Cincinnati.

Though Cordero has targeted readiness by opening day, at the moment he is "less than 100 percent," he said.

Cordero notched 34 saves with a 3.33 ERA last year, but has exhibited a downward trend since recording 44 for the Brewers in 2007. A discernible decline in his strikeouts and rise in his walks likely can be attributable to his secretly pitching with plantar difficulties for all or most of last season.

Setup man David Weathers is waiting in the wings.