DETROIT — Curt Schilling plans to throw today for the first time this season.

The Boston Red Sox right-hander, on the 60-day disabled list with an ailing shoulder, is scheduled to throw 25 pitches from 60 feet. If that goes well, he will begin a regular throwing program.

"He's got himself to the point where he's excited he's getting to do it," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "It's another step."

The 41-year-old Schilling has been sidelined since the start of spring training, and his course of treatment was the subject of much debate.

Schilling said he would have preferred surgery, but the team insisted he try rehab. The right-hander said he wasn't hurt when he agreed to an $8 million, one-year contract with the Red Sox in November.

The club and the pitcher had originally hoped he could be back around the All-Star break. Now, it's uncertain when he might return.

If he does, it would be the 21st season of a career that's included 3,116 strikeouts, 14th-most in baseball history. Schilling owns an 11-2 postseason record, the best of any pitcher with at least 10 decisions.

Schilling was acquired by the Red Sox from Arizona during the offseason before their 2004 World Series triumph. He became a sports icon in Boston that year when he won Game 6 of the ALCS and Game 2 of the World Series after having a surgical procedure to suture a loose tendon in his right ankle. His bloodstained right socks became a part of baseball history.

Schilling was on the disabled list last season with what the Red Sox said was tendinitis in his right shoulder. He finished 9-8 with a 3.47 ERA in 24 starts, then had another outstanding postseason — 3-0 in four starts, including a 2-1 win in Game 2 of the World Series.

He has a career record of 216-146 with a 3.46 ERA, and was co-MVP of the 2001 World Series with Arizona.