Cardinals' starter Mark Mulder took another big step in the rehabilitation process on Saturday, according to the Associated Press. He faced hitters for the first time since undergoing shoulder surgery in September. "He made a bunch of big throws," Manager Tony La Russa said. "Considering it's the first time out there against hitters it's even more impressive." The lefty threw 30 pitches. "I came away very happy," Mulder said. "If I would have thrown all of them the way I started I probably wouldn't have been real happy with it. The way I felt at the end, I was pleased with that."