Randy Johnson threw a bullpen session Wednesday afternoon and Yankees manager Joe Torre said the left-hander is set to start Game 3 of the AL division series in Detroit on Friday night.

Johnson has a herniated disc in his back that required him to get an epidural shot last Friday. He threw in the outfield grass Saturday and then had a bullpen session the next day.

Torre said Johnson threw 30-35 pitches, then departed for Detroit. Game 2 was rained out Wednesday night, and was rescheduled for Thursday afternoon.

``Everything seemed fine,'' Torre said. ``He's ready to go.''

Johnson last pitched on Sept. 23. He gave up five runs and seven hits over six innings in an 8-0 loss at Tampa Bay.

The Big Unit was 17-11 with a career-high 5.00 ERA in 33 starts this season. His lower back stiffness began in September and increased throughout the month.

Johnson hasn't had much success in the division series, going 2-7 with a 4.59 ERA in 11 career starts. He is scheduled to face Tigers lefty Kenny Rogers, who hasn't fared much better with an 0-1 record and a 7.04 ERA in four career division series games.

The Big Unit pitched twice when the Yankees lost to the Angels in five games in the first round of last year's playoffs. He lasted just three innings in his only start, allowing five runs and nine hits, but came back with 4 1-3 shutout innings of relief in Game 5.

Johnson is 5-1 with a 1.48 ERA in seven games in the league championship series and World Series, including when he helped pitch the Arizona Diamondbacks past the Yankees for the 2001 championship.

``He's still trying to find his niche as far as being consistent,'' Torre said. ``You know, when you've pitched as long as he has and you're used to throwing the ball 97, 98 miles an hour all the time, a time comes when you realize you're going to have to win with less velocity. And I think he, you know, got to that point this year.''

© The Canadian Press, 2007