The Braves’ bullpen righted itself since its first-week struggles, but the unit won’t be at full strength until flamethrower Mauricio Cabrera returns. There’s reason to believe that might not be much longer.
Cabrera, who began the season on the disabled list with a strained elbow, threw live batting practice Tuesday at extended spring training in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., and is set to pitch in a game there Friday, Braves manager Brian Snitker said. He said Cabrera could begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Gwinnett next week.
“He feels really good,” Snitker said. “So now it’s just a matter of getting him out there in competitive innings. After Friday I don’t know what the plan is, if he’s going to throw another (game) down there or go to Gwinnett and throw a couple of innings and see where he’s at probably. More than likely, after that inning (Friday) I would think he’d probably go to Gwinnett and pitch a couple of rehab innings there, then just reassess where he is.
“But he’s feeling good; he said his arm’s feeling great. All went well, so that’s a good thing.”
