DETROIT -- Curt Schilling will take another small but important step today in his long comeback trail from the shoulder woes that have sidelined him this season.

Schilling will be playing catch.

The 41-year-old right-hander will be making 25 tosses from a distance of 60 feet before batting practice this afternoon. That may not sound like much, but it will be the first time he has thrown a baseball this spring. His time has been spent rehabbing his shoulder under the guidance of Mike Reinold, the Sox’ rehab coordinator and assistant athletic trainer.

“It’s a big day for (Schilling,)” said manager Terry Francona. “What he has been doing has been monotonous so to have Mike let him do this is exciting for him. This is a nice step.”

Francona said if playing catch goes well today, the Sox will put him on a throwing program to build up the strength in his shoulder.

-STEVEN KRASNER