With the Atlanta Braves starting a series against the Chicago Cubs on Monday ahead of the postseason right around the corner, the team is looking to be fully healthy from top to bottom, especially in the bullpen. After the Braves' recent series against the Philadelphia Phillies, the team has received positive injury updates regarding relief pitcher Robert Suarez.

According to MLB.com, Suarez has thrown a “15-pitch live batting practice session” on Sunday, with the expectation being that he throws again later in the week. Suarez has been dealing with right elbow inflammation, as his last appearance in a game was on June 19 in the 3-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers, recording his 12th hold of the season in the outing.

Suarez has been highly effective as Atlanta's setup man, pitching a 0.56 ERA in 32 innings, with the goal for the 35-year-old being to ‘mostly work on rhythm,' via MLB.com.

“I’m mostly working on rhythm,” Suarez said through an interpreter. “I just want my body to be in the right sequence, and be around the zone, and be able to attack hitters. When the time comes, I want to be in that game-time rhythm.”

What a potential return date for Braves' Robert Suarez looks like

Regarding a return date for Suarez, while MLB.com has the expectation of “late September,” the pitcher doesn't have one, though saying that he is “feeling really good.”

Article Continues Below

“I don’t have an exact date in mind, but I’m feeling really good in the rehab process, and I’m hoping to finish strong,” Suarez said.

Braves manager Walt Weiss would share the encouragement with Suarez, even saying that he “wasn't expecting” how well the session went. Another live session and rehab appearance could be enough before Suarez comes back to the team.

“I was very encouraged,” Weiss said, per The Athletic. “To be honest with you, I wasn't expecting that. I thought he kind of eased into it, but he let it go, and it was really good, and he felt really good afterwards.”

It remains to be seen when exactly Suarez returns to the mound for Atlanta.