Smoltz throws without pain

May 11, 2008 - 7:42 PM PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- Veteran Atlanta Braves righthander John Smoltz experienced no discomfort while playing catch inside the batting cage Sunday.

On the disabled list since April 29 with an inflamed rotator cuff, Smoltz made 25 throws to Braves bullpen coach Eddie Perez from a distance of 40 feet. It marked the first time he had picked up a ball in two weeks.

Smoltz, who likely will pitch out of the bullpen when he is activated, hopes to return before the end of the month.

"I think it's some time in May," he told the Braves' official web site. "That's what I had in my mind when I went on the disabled list, and I still want that to happen."

Throughout April, the 40-year-old Smoltz experienced tightness between his shoulder and neck and was pulled from his last start against the New York Mets on April 27 after allowing four runs in just four innings.

An MRI taken the following day revealed a severely inflamed bicep tendon and inflammation of the rotator cuff in his right shoulder.

After going on the DL, Smoltz said he would be willing to return to his former role as the Braves' closer.

Smoltz was a dominant closer for Atlanta in the early part of the decade, registering a National League-record 55 saves in 2002. He converted 154 saves in his 3 1/2 seasons as a closer before returning to the Braves' rotation in 2005.