Randy Johnson took a big step in his return from back surgery, and Mark DeRosa returned to the field with a healthy heart.

Pitching in a game for the first time since June, the five-time Cy Young Award winner lasted 1 1/3 innings yesterday during Arizona's 10-9 victory over the NL champion Colorado Rockies at Tucson, Ariz.

The 44-year-old left-hander gave up three runs and four hits, including a three-run homer by Chris Iannetta. He walked one and struck out one.

"I've got a long ways to go, but I'm just happy to be able to get out there and pitch pain-free," Johnson said. "Comparing today to the last time I pitched at Chase (Field), it's night and day. So I'm happy about that. The results will come as I pitch more."

The Big Unit was on the mound for the first time since June 28. Last summer, he underwent back surgery for the second time in less than a year, but yesterday he said he felt healthy.

"I'm not looking too much at results," he said. "I'm looking to gain some endurance and stamina and work on my location and all those other little things on top of monitoring my back at the same time."

DeRosa played for the first time since undergoing a heart procedure on Feb. 28 and went 0-for-3 in the Chicago Cubs' 6-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers at Phoenix.

"Just to get out there and break a sweat and be with the guys was fun," the second baseman said. "I hadn't seen live pitching since (the postseason). I didn't strike out. Three balls in play, not quality, but I'll take and build off of it."

DeRosa experienced a rapid heartbeat on Feb. 23 during infield drills. He spent a night in an Arizona hospital before returning to Chicago for a procedure that involved using electrical energy to destroy tissues in the heart that were causing the rhythmic disturbances.

ELSEWHERE

Rangers: Pitcher Brandon McCarthy likely will start the season on the disabled list because of inflammation in his forearm. Though an MRI showed no ligament damage, McCarthy is expected to be sidelined four to six weeks. The 6-foot-7 right-hander apparently won't need surgery.

Dodgers: Los Angeles third baseman Andy LaRoche underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb yesterday and is expected to be sidelined for eight to 10 weeks.