Venters rehabs, throws in back-to-back days

ATLANTA -- Left-hander Jonny Venters threw for the first time on Friday since he received a platelet-rich plasma injection in early June. He also threw on Saturday, a workout consisting of 20-25 throws from 60 feet.

There remains no timetable for a return, as the southpaw is taking it day by day.

"It feels good," Venters said of his surgically repaired left elbow. "I've been throwing for a couple of days. Today's my second day, so it's light. So far, so good."

Multiple bouts of elbow soreness have slowed Venters, who is attempting to return from his second Tommy John surgery. He is hopeful his recent PRP injection helps alleviate the soreness he felt so soon after his last break from throwing.

"It's just part of the deal, part of the process," Venters said. "I had to get through that rough patch. Hopefully it'll build back up pretty quick, so we'll see."

Venters went more than five weeks without throwing in order to let the PRP injection take effect, so the main focus now is simply regaining his arm strength.

"The program will gradually increase in distance and effort," Venters said. "Build the arm speed back up, and then you get on the mound. So I have no idea about a time frame or anything like that. I've just got to build it back up."