Takashi Saito (shoulder) could return if the Braves advance to the NLCS.

Saito tossed a successful bullpen session Wednesday, reporting no discomfort in his inflamed throwing shoulder. "It went really well," he said through his interpreter. "It's becoming closer to the way I want to pitch. It's a big difference from yesterday. I felt really good today."

Takashi Saito (shoulder) will not be on the Braves' NLDS roster.

Saito missed most of September with a an inflamed shoulder and allowed two earned runs while retiring only one batter in a comeback appearance on October 2. He wouldn't be any good right now to the Braves and might not be back to 100 percent even if the club reaches the second round.

Takashi Saito (shoulder) allowed two earned runs and retired only one batter Saturday in a relief appearance against the Braves.

Saito had been out since September 17 because of an inflamed shoulder and did not look sharp on Saturday. He'll try to fit in some bullpen sessions before the playoffs begin to get back in a groove.

Takashi Saito returned to action on Saturday October 2.

Takashi Saito was hoping to get in a bullpen session Sunday, but that was ruled out after he felt pain in his shoulder when playing catch Saturday.

Saito has tendinitis in his shoulder and not structural damage, but his season is definitely in doubt after this setback. Luckily for the Braves, they're pretty well covered with Craig Kimbrel.

Takashi Saito (shoulder) played catch Friday without any discomfort.

Saito threw two sets of 20 pitches from a distance of approximately 60 feet, but not at full effort. "It wasn't bad," Saito said through his interpreter. "I felt I could throw as much as I did today. It's what's ahead that I'm still not sure about." Saito isn't expected to pitch from a mound until Sunday, which means he won't be available this weekend, but he hopes to return for the final week of the season.

Takashi Saito (shoulder) is expected to throw off a mound on Friday.

An MRI on Monday showed only inflammation, so the Braves are hopeful that he'll be ready to return within the next week. It can't happen soon enough. The veteran set-up man has an excellent 2.52 ERA and 69/14 K/BB ratio over 53 2/3 innings this season.

The Braves are hoping that setup man Takashi Saito (shoulder) will be ready to pitch again by this weekend.

Saito has been out since Friday, when he was lifted from a game due to shoulder soreness and flown back to Atlanta for further examination. An MRI Monday showed only inflammation and he is expected to be fine once the swelling subsides. He has a 2.52 ERA and 0.99 WHIP over 53 2/3 innings.

Takashi Saito underwent an MRI on Monday which revealed only inflammation in his right shoulder.

That's a relief. He probably won't be available for this week's series against the first-place Phillies, but it sounds like the Braves could have him back sometime in the next few days.

Takashi Saito will fly back to Atlanta Sunday and have his shoulder examined by doctors Monday.

The reliever had to exit Friday's game with a shoulder injury, and admitted afterward that he was concerned. If Saito is done for the the year, which seems possible, if not probable, then rookie Craig Kimbrel would see his role increased.

According to MLB.com's Mark Bowman, Takashi Saito has vision problems at night.

Apparently, the passed ball in Tuesday night's game was the direct result of Saito's limited vision at night. Braves' catchers have been forced to abandon finger signals in favor of touching different parts of their bodies, but Saito still missed a sign and threw a fastball after Brian McCann signaled for a breaking ball. Saito still has above-average control, but this is sort of a strange tidbit. He's probably still next in line for saves when Billy Wagner is not available.

Takashi Saito picked up his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth in a 6-3 win over the Giants on Sunday.

Billy Wagner had pitched three days in a row and five times in the last six days, so Saito was given an opportunity with Wagner resting. Saito gave up a single in his inning of work, but struck out the other three batters to lower his ERA to 3.14 on the season. He remains next in line for saves in Atlanta should anything happen to Wagner.

Takashi Saito recently dealt with some pain in his right shoulder.

Saito said he first felt the pain after pitching on the July 11, but because of the All-Star break, he didn't make his next appearance for another 10 days. Fortunately, the pain has subsided.

Braves activated RHP Takashi Saito from the 15-day disabled list.

Saito spent a little over two weeks on the disabled list, battling a left hamstring stain. He will return to his old familiar setup role, where he tallied a 2.92 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP in 25 outings before getting hurt.

Takashi Saito (hamstring) pitched a perfect inning of relief for Triple-A Gwinnett.

Saito should be activated on Tuesday when the Braves open a series against the Chicago White Sox. He posted a 1-2 record with a 2.92 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP in 25 outings before going on the disabled list.

Takashi Saito (hamstring) will make a rehab appearance Sunday for Triple-A Gwinnett.

There was some thought that he'd come off the DL on Saturday, but the Braves decided to have him pitch once in the minors. He'll probably be activated Tuesday.

Takashi Saito (hamstring) will throw a bullpen session on Friday and could return Saturday if it goes smoothly.

"Hopefully Saturday," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "Sunday for sure." The setup man has been on the disabled list since June 4 with a left hamstring strain. He had a 2.92 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP before the injury.

Takahashi Saito (hamstring) threw a successful bullpen session Wednesday at Turner Field.

Saito is hoping to return to the Braves on Saturday, the first day he's eligible. "I really believe that I do want to come back by Saturday, but I still can't say that for sure," said the right-handed setup man. "I need to speak with the pitching coach, trainers and Bobby about it first."

Braves placed RHP Takashi Saito on the 15-day disabled list with a left hamstring strain.

Saito suffered the injury during the ninth inning of Thursday's game against the Dodgers. The 40-year-old right-hander has a 2.92 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 34/8 K/BB ratio over 24 2/3 innings with the Braves this season. Peter Moylan will be asked to be the primary set-up man in his absence.

Takashi Saito is currently day-to-day with an injury to his left hamstring.

Saito suffered the injury while filling in for Billy Wagner in the ninth inning on Thursday. He'll rest for now, but if his condition does not improve in a few days, the Braves would likely place him on the disabled list.