LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — In his first game since returning from the World Baseball Classic, Braves closer Craig Kimbrel had one strikeout in perfect seventh inning against the Phillies.
He also had a groundout and a Humberto Quintero fly-out in front of the left-field warning track in his fifth Grapefruit League. Kimbrel had had allowed one run in each of his last three spring games before leaving for the WBC.
“Always good to go out and get a zero, especially when you don’t feel that good,” said Kimbrel, who pitched with an upset stomach or virus. “It was good to get back in the swing of things, get back on the mound.”
He appeared in four games for Team USA in the WBC, and allowed three hits and two runs in two-thirds of an inning to take the loss Friday against the Dominican Republic.
“He’s fine,” Gonzalez said. “He’s good. He’s right on schedule.”
Walden to pitch: After throwing his second batting-practice session without any difficulties, reliever Jordan Walden is set to pitch in a game Wednesday after the Braves' day off Tuesday. Walden got an epidural injection last week for a bulging disc in his back and hasn't pitched since his Feb. 23 spring debut.
After a day off, the Braves play Pittsburgh on Wednesday (1:05 p.m., Fox Sports South). Mike Minor is set to start against Pirates right-hander Kyle McPherson.
