Injured Putz hopeful to return this season

PHOENIX -- Injured D-backs reliever J.J. Putz said he hopes to throw a bullpen session on Friday and would like to get back on the mound before the end of the season.

Putz suffered a dislocated right pinkie when he was struck by a comebacker on Aug. 23 in Philadelphia.

"It's feeling better," Putz said. "Getting better."

Putz felt like he was finally regaining his old form prior to the injury after struggling to get his arm strength back following a stint on the disabled list.

Putz was on the DL from May 8 until June 29 with a strained elbow, and it took him a while after that to get back on track. In 13 games prior to injuring his pinkie, Putz had allowed only one run in 10 2/3 innings.

"He's been throwing, he's getting better, but he's a ways off," D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said. "He's progressed a lot since he started throwing."