Glavine throws off mound for 1st time since injury

[July 21, 2008]  ATLANTA, Ga. (AP) -- Tom Glavine threw off the bullpen mound for the first time since landing on the disabled list in early June because of a strained left elbow, and said he was encouraged by his work.

Glavine said he threw about 40 pitches at about 60 percent effort and said "it went all right." He said he tried all his pitches.

"I actually threw pretty good, which I was kind of surprised about since I hadn't thrown in six weeks," said Glavine, who went on the DL on June 11.

Glavine plans to take a couple days off before throwing again.

Also, right-hander Rafael Soriano threw in the bullpen without discomfort. General manager Frank Wren said Soriano, who opened the season as the closer, is scheduled to come off the disabled list on Monday.

Soriano has had discomfort in his right elbow since spring training, and has been on the disabled list twice this season. He has missed 35 games since going on the DL for the second time on June 6.

He has pitched in only nine games, recording three saves with a 2.00 ERA. And

"He says it is (better)," Wren said. "He says he feels good."

Mike Gonzalez has four saves and a 3.09 ERA as the fill-in closer and could share the role with Soriano.

[Associated Press; By CHARLES ODUM]

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