Left-hander Mike Gonzalez has looked so good against hitters in extended spring training, the Braves think he could join their bullpen by mid-May, before the one-year anniversary of his "Tommy John" elbow surgery.

"I think so," manager Bobby Cox said of the possibility. "I'm hoping. It might not happen [that soon], but I hope so."

With closer Rafael Soriano (elbow tendinitis) finishing a stint on the disabled list and top setup man Peter Moylan likely headed for season-ending elbow surgery, the Braves eagerly await the return of Gonzalez.

The former Pittsburgh closer had a 1.59 ERA in 18 appearances for the Braves last April and May before undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery May 31, 2007.

The original timetable for his return was the 2008 All-Star break. When he made steady progress in the fall, the return date was bumped to June.

When his progress continued this spring without any setbacks, the Braves said he might be back as soon as late May.

Now, it's mid-May. Most pitchers recover from "TJ" surgery in about 12 months, but the range is anywhere from 11 to 14 months.

Cox said the only setback Gonzalez had was a back strain more than a week ago.

He was supposed to throw one simulated inning against hitters Tuesday at Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Gonzalez needed so few pitches to get the first three outs that he continued pitching for three more.

He recorded six outs in 23 pitches, according to the Braves. He's scheduled to pitch in extended-spring games Thursday and Saturday, and Cox said he could then begin a minor-league rehab assignment after those outings.

Gonzalez, 29, was perfect in 24 save opportunities for the Pirates in 2006, when he posted a 2.17 ERA with 64 strikeouts in 54 innings.

The Braves got him and infield prospect Brent Lillibridge in a January 2007 trade for first baseman Adam LaRoche and minor-league outfielder Jamie Romak.

Francoeur playing through pain

The right ankle Jeff Francoeur broke eight years ago playing high school football is barking again, but the right fielder doesn't plan to let the pain end his streak of games played.

Cox said if he has to, he'll make Francoeur rest. But as long as he remains productive, Cox is inclined to let him play. Francoeur made his 347th consecutive start Wednesday, the longest active streak in the National League.

He received a cortisone shot late Tuesday in the outer part of his ankle where it meets the foot, after running with a noticeable limp during Tuesday's game.

He's had discomfort periodically since spring training, but said Tuesday was the worst, and it began when he was doing nothing more than running to his position before the first inning.

Francoeur said it "pinches" at times, particularly when rounding the bases.

"In the offseason I'll get it checked out," said Francoeur, who also plans to be fitted for orthotics after a road trip that starts Friday.

Until then, he'll play with it taped and hope the injection helps. He also had an injection late in spring training.

Glavine on schedule for Tuesday

Tom Glavine threw a side session in the bullpen Wednesday, one day sooner than planned. The left-hander is scheduled to come off the DL and start Tuesday's game at Washington — the original scene of the crime, so to speak.

The bullpen session was the first strenuous activity for the 42-year-old since he strained his right hamstring in the first inning April 13 at Washington. It's the first DL stint of Glavine's 22-year major league career.

Pitching coach Roger McDowell reported no setbacks from the side session.

Smoltz jokes with Harris

After Willie Harris got an RBI double off John Smoltz on Tuesday, the newly minted 3,000-strikeout man called his former teammate and made a promise.

Smoltz has allowed only two runs in 23 innings, both runs driven in by Harris.

"I told him I'm coming to Cairo [Harris' hometown] this offseason and dunking on him," joked Smoltz, known for his basketball prowess -- even at age 40.