PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) - Clayton Richard and Dustin Moseley are healthy again. The trick for the San Diego Padres is keeping them on the mound throughout spring training.

Richard has been cleared by the team's medical staff less than seven months after he had arthroscopic shoulder surgery. The left-hander was 5-9 with a 3.88 ERA in 18 starts last year before his season was cut short by the July 29 operation.

"I have to be careful not to do too much too quick because I want to just throw and throw and throw and I have to make it a gradual process, just like any spring training," Richard said Monday. "And just because I feel good, not overdo it. I'm excited about getting started and feeling good."

Moseley, who is in contention for the final spot in the rotation, had the capsule in his non-throwing shoulder repaired on Aug. 3.

The starting rotation is one of the biggest concerns for the Padres heading into the season. San Diego traded Mat Latos to the Cincinnati Reds over the winter.

Padres manager Bud Black said the team plans to monitor how Richard handles the workload this spring. A 14-game winner in 2010, Richard missed a portion of last spring with a sore shoulder and never really got on track.

But Black doesn't think Richard will be restricted.

"Our doctors and our staff feel good about him," Black said. "He's going to go through camp as a regular, healthy player."

Black said the team also will keep an eye on Moseley, who dislocated his left shoulder a number of times this season. The right-hander went 3-10 with a 3.30 ERA in 20 starts.

The injury didn't affect Moseley's ability to pitch, but he couldn't swing a bat. The Padres also were concerned about whether Moseley could defend himself against hard-hit balls and elected for surgery.

"Throwing-wise Moseley's fine," Black said. "Hitting-wise we have to get him on a hitting progression to make sure his swing is not in any pain. The success rate of that surgery is high."

Though the decision to end his season early was difficult, Moseley is confident he made the right choice based on how he feels physically. Had he waited until October to have surgery, Moseley would be two months behind schedule.

"It was tough, but we were thinking about the following season," Moseley said. "This is a six-month deal where you're full go, and it's eight to 12 months before it's completely healed. It's the risk you take.

"Two months into the season you're still rehabbing. It's something I didn't want to do."

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