Brandon Beachys elbow is improving after a little more than a week of rest since the Braves shut down him down on the cusp of his return from Tommy John surgery. The Braves are planning to have him throw a bullpen session some time before the end of this five-game trip to Milwaukee and Kansas City.
I dont know exactly which day, but hell throw a bullpen - probably just a light bullpen - sometime this road trip, Gonzalez said. Thats why he came with us, to get treatment with our trainer and physical therapist.
Gonzalez said theres no plan for ramping Beachy up yet, though, and that theyre going to play it smart with a pitcher who endured his first setback at about the 12-month mark in his recovery.
Well play it safe with him, Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez said theres no plan mapped out beyond this initial bullpen but when the time comes, Beachy will throw at least a couple of bullpens before he heads back out on a minor league rehabilitation assignment to build back up. At that rate, Beachy isnt likely to return until sometime after the All-Star break.