PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Frank Francisco said he aims to step on a mound Saturday for the first time in camp.

Francisco, who has been battling elbow inflammation, long tossed at distances up to 130 feet Thursday morning.

"I just feel like I've got to get my strength -- throw a little more maybe, get my power back," Francisco said. "I feel like I'm not loose yet, like I don't have power, my whole body. I feel like I don't have my release point yet. That takes a while."

He remains likely to open the season on the disabled list, but the absence may be limited to the first six days of the season because of backdating rules.

"We never know," Francisco said about Opening Day. "I might give you a little surprise. I know I'm going to be OK. If I lose a few games, maybe five or six games, it's for my own good. I know I can go out there and rush a little bit, but I'm risking taking another step back. That's what I don't want."