Rafael Soriano is expected to be the first in the long list of the injured to return for the Braves in the second half.

His elbow came away feeling good from his bullpen session Saturday, Braves general manager Frank Wren said, and after taking a day off, the Braves plan to activate him Monday.

"Roger [McDowell] said he threw the ball very well, and Raffy said he felt good," Wren said.

Yunel Escobar is itching to return from his left shoulder injury, but doctors have yet to clear him. Wren said after he's examined again Sunday, the Braves will decide whether to put him on the disabled list. He already has had nine days of rest.

"It's a day-to-day thing as the doctor sees how he's progressing," Wren said. "He wants to play. That's great. But at the same time, we don't want him to jeopardize the rest of the season to play a day early, or two days early and then have it bother him."

Pending a doctor's exam, Matt Diaz (knee) will continue his minor-league rehabilitation program, this time with Class AAA Richmond either Sunday or Monday.

Jeff Bennett threw his first bullpen Saturday since injuring his right shoulder on a throw to first July 6. He'll head to Class A Myrtle Beach on Monday to begin a rehabilitation assignment. He received a cortisone shot in his shoulder and said it's feeling much better.

"I long-tossed the last two days," Bennett said. "I felt good. I threw better than I did in spring training."