ATLANTA -- Kyle Davies is optimistic about returning to the
Braves pitching staff in the next few weeks.
Davies, who's been on the disabled list since May 16 recovering
from a torn right groin, threw 40 pitches in two simulated innings
before batting practice. Scott Thorman, Pete Orr and Matt Diaz
stood in the box during the session.
"Every time I go out there it gets better and better," Davies
said. "I didn't feel it one time."
Next up: Davies expects to head to the minors for a two-inning
rehab assignment. The decision on when and where he will pitch
hasn't been made.
The right-hander hopes to return to the Braves around Aug. 20,
though general manager John Schuerholz thinks it will be a little
longer before Davies has recovered enough to pitch in the majors.
"Obviously, I have to show that I can pitch, too," Davies
said.
But the pitcher is more optimistic than a month ago, when he
suffered a setback while the team was on a road trip.
"When I popped that scar tissue in Tampa Bay, it was, 'Wow, now
what'll we do?" he remembered. "And eight days later it was
better than it was before. They say if you get rid of that stuff,
it grows back more elastic. But it's tough to hear that when you
first do it."