GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Matt Thornton (elbow tendinitis) planned to play catch Thursday, will do so again Friday and throw a bullpen on Saturday and perhaps throw live batting practice on Monday.

The 36-year-old left-handed reliever described the MRI taken Tuesday as "over-the-top precautionary'' and said he expects to take his scheduled turn to pitch in a Cactus League game on March 5.

"I'm fine,'' Thornton said. "I'm worried about April 1. That's all I care about. I don't care if I get two or three games in somehow if something else happens and I'm ready for [the opener].''