52 Jordan Walden, RP

The Braves are not expected to activate Jordan Walden from the disabled list when he is first eligible Monday, but that does not mean his return is far off. According to MLB.com, Walden should be active at some point next week.

Walden made it through a few sessions of long toss Tuesday without pain, and said his shoulder is feeling better.

"[My shoulder] is strong right now," Walden said. "I played catch today and it was better than it has been almost all season."

Walden is expected to go through a bullpen session and at least one minor-league rehab assignment before he is activated. The Braves could really use the help in the bullpen, after placing two pitchers on the disabled list with season-ending elbow surgery in the last week. 

Braves reliever Jordan Walden (shoulder) is eligible to come off the disabled list Monday, but manager Fredi Gonzalez said Tuesday he probably will need more time, according to MLB.com. Walden is 1-1 with a 4.85 ERA in 14 relief outings.

Braves reliever Jordan Walden said his injured shoulder is feeling "pretty good" after playing catch Monday, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports.

Walden hopes to return off the DL when eligible Monday in Toronto.

“That’s what we’re shooting for, but it’s got to be feeling good,” Walden said. “…I just need to make sure I’m fully healthy when I come back because we already have great guys down there still. I just want to be part of it down there. I want to be able to help out Craig (Kimbrel) a little bit.”

The Braves placed reliever Jordan Walden on the 15-day disabled list Friday, due to right shoulder inflammation. Walden has not pitched since May 11, after allowing runs in three outings in a row.

It is not clear at this time how long he is expected to be out. Walden has a 4.85 ERA in 13 innings of work in his first season in Atlanta.