Walden eyes return from back injury

Braves right-hander Jordan Walden, out since Feb. 23 with a bulging disk in his back, said he’s scheduled to throw batting practice on Saturday after a pair of bullpen sessions went well.

“We’ll see how it goes,” Walden said Friday. “I’m feeling really good. I’m rehabbing a lot and I feel great. I want to get back out there.”

Walden said he hopes to pitch in a game early next week “but that’s not my call.” He said he anticipates he will be ready by the start of the regular season.