After throwing a pain-free full bullpen session on Tuesday, it appears reliever Jonny Venters will be rejoining the Braves 'pen early next week.
Venters went on the DL on July 5 with elbow inflammation and is eligible to return on Friday, but manager Fredi Gonzalez said Venters will throw an inning or two for Triple-A Gwinnett before rejoining the Braves, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Venters is confident about returning. From the AJC:
"I think it was a good chance to get a mental break," said Venters, who was asked if he were confident about a return to form. "Yeah, actually very confident. Kind of a clean slate. I kind of started from scratch with my delivery, too. I eliminated everything that I was doing, that I was working on, and just got back to the basics."
After dominant seasons in 2010 and 2011, Venters has struggled this year, posting a 4.45 ERA in 40 appearances. After going on the DL, Venters said that the elbow pain had been "off and on" throughout the season. The hope now is that it's behind him after this break.
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