Jonny Venters threw a pain-free long-toss session on Friday after resting this week due to a sore elbow.

Venters felt some soreness after Sunday's appearance against the Orioles, so the Braves didn't want to take any chances coming off his huge workload last year. The good news is that the rest seems to have paid off. "They just wanted to give me a couple of days to let it rest and get it feeling good again, so that I can go into the year feeling strong and good," said Venters. "It feels great now. I'm actually excited about it." Venters believes he'll be ready to pitch in a game again by Tuesday.

Johnny Venters picked up his fifth save of the season on Monday against the Cubs.

Closer Craig Kimbrel had appeared in three of the previous four games, so his reliable set-up man got the call. Venters made things interesting by walking the first two batters, but then settled down to retire the next three, including two on strikeouts. He boasts a 0.00 ERA with 27 strikeouts over 23 innings dating back to June 29.

Jonny Venters tossed a scoreless inning of relief in Monday's win over the Rockies.

It was his first appearance since giving up two runs over one inning against the Mariners last Wednesday. Venters allowed one hit while striking out none and walking none. Meanwhile, he threw just 11 out of 23 pitches for strikes. The 26-year-old left-hander still leads the majors with 47 appearances, so hopefully the Braves haven't already worn him out.

Jonny Venters will be unavailable when the Braves take on the Orioles this evening.

With Venters showing signs of fatigue lately (as in looking hittable), the Braves have decided to remain true to their pledge of giving him the evening off. "Early on, that one stretch we were playing a lot of close games, extra-inning games, and games where we were one run down in the eighth, we would pitch him just to stay in the game," manager Fredi Gonzalez said on Friday. "Maybe we'll not do that as often. Pitch him when we're tied or up." Venters' use has bordered on abuse this season, as he's appeared in 46 of Atlanta's first 82 games.

Johnny Venters was shelled Sunday against the Padres, taking his first loss of the season after yielding four runs on four hits and two walks while recording only two outs.

Entering the contest, Venters had given up only three earned runs in 48 1/3 innings. Such a blow-up against the light-hitting Padres was far from anticipated. Despite the off night, he remains one of the most dominant relievers in the league.

Jonny Venters pitched two more hitless innings Wednesday, lowering his ERA to 0.59.

We wonder how long Venters is going to be able to keep this up. He was allowed two get six outs today even though he pitched, albeit briefly, last night. Manager Fredi Gonzalez also used him for one inning and then two innings on back-to-back days last week. In all, Venters has thrown 30 2/3 innings in the Braves' 51 games. He's a terrific reliever, but he's a candidate to break down at this rate.

Jonny Venters picked up his first save of the season in Sunday's win over the Giants.

Venters was only called upon for the save because Craig Kimbrel pitched Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Still, Venters has been well worth owning as a setup guy. He's sporting a 0.77 ERA and has 12 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings.

Jonny Venters returned to action Friday and pitched a perfect eighth inning against the Giants.

Venters missed a couple of days because of biceps soreness. He picked up his sixth hold while working in front of Craig Kimbrel tonight.

The Braves hope to have Jonny Venters (biceps) available for the first game of their three-game set with the Giants on Friday.

Venters says he could have pitched on Thursday, but opted for caution since it is so early in the season. He doesn't sound terribly likely to pitch this evening, however, and if he doesn't feel better by Saturday, it's possible the Braves could exercise the ultimate caution and place him on the disabled list, especially since their bullpen has racked up a ton of innings this week.

Jonny Venters has been unavailable the past two days due to "mild soreness" in his biceps.

His status for the Braves' weekend series with the Giants is currently unknown, but his ailment is part of the reason the club recalled Cory Gearrin on Friday morning. The owner of a 0.93 ERA and nine strikeouts through his first 9 2/3 innings of work, Venters does not sound like he's headed to the disabled list.

Jonny Venters and Craig Kimbrel turned in perfect innings of relief Wednesday against the Marlins.

Another good day for the co-closers: Kimbrel has turned things around nicely, while Venters has been dynamite all spring. The southpaw has allowed just two hits in nine scoreless innings.

Jonny Venters went three up, three down again Saturday in his inning against the Mets.

Craig Kimbrel is throwing better lately, but Venters has made the much stronger case for the closer's role so far this spring. He's allowed just one hit and one walk in six scoreless innings.

Jonny Venters is up to three scoreless innings this spring after a perfect frame Sunday against the Nationals.

There's been indications that the Braves would prefer to see Craig Kimbrel walk away with closing duties, but Venters has been far more impressive so far in the exhibition season. He would be the safe play for Atlanta, though Kimbrel is the better bet for the long haul.

Jayson Stark of ESPN.com speculates that Jonny Venters is likely to "get the first shot" at closing next spring.

The 25-year-old left-hander has a 1.83 ERA and 85/35 K/BB ratio over 78 2/3 innings this season, so with Billy Wagner retiring at the end of the season, he looks like the early front-runner for saves over Craig Kimbrel. "I'm sure we'll go out and get somebody with some veteran presence, like we did with Billy and [Takashi] Saito this year, to give us some options," said Braves general manager Frank Wren. "But those two guys [Venters and Kimbrel] give us a good starting point." Be sure to track this situation over the winter.

Jonny Venters' four-game suspension was dropped following his Tuesday hearing.

That's a pleasant surprise. Venters was levied a four-game suspension for hitting Prince Fielder with a pitch on on July 17, but reiterated Tuesday that the incident was not intentional.

Jonny Venters' four-game suspension appeal will be heard Tuesday.

Venters was handed the punishment one week ago for intentionally throwing at Brewers slugger Prince Fielder. He's been able to make four appearances since and owns an impressive 1.13 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 48/23 K/BB ratio in 48 innings this season as a setup man for the Braves.

Jonny Venters has appealed his four-game suspension.

The left-hander was given the punishment Monday for throwing at Prince Fielder on consecutive pitches this weekend. Venters should lose the appeal, but he's been fantastic for the Braves this season and he will be available Tuesday night for a big matchup with the first-place Padres. Nice.

Jonny Venters was suspended four games and fined an undisclosed amount for throwing at Price Fielder on consecutive pitches Saturday.

Braves manager Bobby Cox was also suspended for one game, which he is expected to serve on Tuesday. Venters, of course, has the option to appeal.

Braves recalled RHP Jonny Venters from Triple-A Gwinnett.

Atlanta opted for him over the demoted Mike Dunn because Venters fills a long-relief need. Venters posted a 1.35 ERA in 6 2/3 innings for Gwinnett prior to his promotion.