Smoltz hopes to return to bullpen this month

Atlanta ace John Smoltz is throwing again and hopes his injured rotator cuff heals enough to let him move into the Braves bullpen later this month. Smoltz threw 45 pitches from 60 feet at PNC Park on Monday, a day after throwing 25 pitches from about 40 feet. Until this weekend, Smoltz had not thrown since lasting only four innings against the Mets in a 6-3 loss on April 27. Smoltz said after that game that discomfort in his shoulder prevented him from throwing properly. [link]