LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Braves reliever Jordan Walden has a bulging disc, but team officials say he should be able to pitch before much longer after getting an epidural on Wednesday.
Walden returned to Atlanta on Wednesday to have the back checked out. After getting the injection he felt better and said hoped to throw off a mound within a few days.
The Braves got the former Angels closer in a November trade for pitcher Tommy Hanson, and Walden is expected to serve as a setup man in what should again be one of baseball’s best and deepest bullpens. General manager Frank Wren said Walden didn't have the injury until this spring.
The right-hander hasn’t pitched since his Feb. 23 Braves debut against the Yankees, when he was charged with three hits and four runs (one earned) in one inning.
“There’s a little something in there, but it’s better now,” said Walden, who was back in camp Thursday/
A couple of hours later, Wren said that "little something" Walden referred to was a bulging disc. It's an injury that can cause ongoing problems if not treated properly, and eventually might require surgery.
Despite missing a few appearances early on, Walden said he should be ready when the season begins April 1.
“Yeah, for sure,” he said. “I’ve been long-tossing every day until yesterday, so my arm’s good. Just have to get rid of my back (soreness).”
Spring training is nearly a full week longer this year to accommodate the World Baseball Classic, so missing some time early in camp shouldn’t be as significant as it might be under normal circumstances.
Walden said his back didn’t hinder him while doing some light throwing and long-tossing, but kept him from pitching for nearly two weeks.
“Coming off the mound, finishing (pitches),” he said. “The back’s important to pitching.”
O'Flaherty nearing return: The Braves could have Eric O'Flaherty pitching in games by the middle of next week, if not sooner. The veteran lefty hasn't pitched in a game this spring after being shut down early in camp due to a strained left groin.
Manager Fredi Gonzalez initially said the Braves were bringing O’Flaherty along slowly due to his history of back problems and the fact that he typically only needed six or seven appearances to prepare for the season. But O’Flaherty said his back hasn’t been an issue at all this year and, in fact, has felt as good as it’s felt in quite some time.d
O’Flaherty said he didn’t throw as many bullpens before camp this season due to the extra week of spring training.
“I was trying to pace myself,” he said. “Then I got a little behind (after being shut down for the groin injury). I was only about two bullpens deep at that time; normally you show up to spring training three, four, five (bullpens) in, and go through the whole routine. It was just about being shut down and having to build back up.”
O’Flaherty worked on arm strength by throwing bullpen side sessions in the past week. Next he’ll face hitters in live batting practice.
“I’ve thrown three or four bullpens,” he said. “I think we’re going to do one or two live BPs and then get in games. Maybe Tuesday or Wednesday. I think it depends on how live BP goes.”
