Eric O'Flaherty (elbow) threw a successful bullpen session in front of Athletics manager Bob Melvin on Saturday.

The A's believe that he could be cleared to face live hitters by the time they return from their next road trip. He remains on track to rejoin the A's bullpen at some point in June, making an already strong bullpen even more dominant.

Eric O'Flaherty (elbow) threw an 18-pitch bullpen session Tuesday.

It was the first time since last May's Tommy John surgery that O'Flaherty threw the full distance from the mound to the catcher. The A's are hoping to have the left-hander has part of their bullpen but June.

Athletics placed LHP Eric O'Flaherty on the 60-day disabled list with a left elbow injury.

O'Flaherty underwent Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery last May and probably won't be ready to contribute out of the A's bullpen until June. Oakland signed the 29-year-old left-hander to a two-year, $7 million free agent contract in late January.

Athletics manager Bob Melvin said Saturday that while Eric O'Flaherty (elbow) is anxious to pitch, the club is still targeting a mid-season return for him in 2014.

The veteran left-hander was is being brought along cautiously coming off Tommy John surgery. The A's have very high hopes for him, which was made clear when signing him to a two-year pact in January. Once he's ready to go, he'll bolster an already formidable bullpen.

Athletics signed LHP Eric O'Flaherty to a two-year, $7 million contract.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported news of the agreement and the terms involved. O'Flaherty is a bit of a gamble coming off Tommy John surgery, but the A's could have the best bullpen in the majors if he bounces back.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Athletics have reached a two-year, $7 million deal with reliever Eric O'Flaherty.

O'Flaherty is recovering from Tommy John surgery and might not be ready to return until around midseason. It's a bit of a surprise to see him take a two-year deal, but the A's were willing to pay a premium on the chance that he'll return to form as one of the best left-handed relievers in the game. O'Flaherty, who turns 29 next month, has a 1.99 ERA dating back to 2009.

David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the Braves "haven't had any recent discussions" with Eric O'Flaherty.

O'Brien reported in early December that O'Flaherty was likely to re-sign with the Braves, but talks have gone in the wrong direction since then and it appears the two sides might have parted ways. The left-handed reliever is coming back from Tommy John surgery and unlikely to be ready to pitch until May.

David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that talks "aren't dead" between the Braves and free agent reliever Eric O'Flaherty.

O'Brien reported earlier this month that the two sides were likely to reach an agreement, but progress has been slow. The Nationals, Dodgers and Phillies are among the other teams who have expressed interest in the southpaw. O'Flaherty is currently working his way back from Tommy John surgery and likely won't be ready to pitch at the major league level until May.

David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweets that the Braves are talking with free agent reliever Eric O'Flaherty and are likely to reach an agreement.

O'Flaherty underwent Tommy John surgery in May, but as he will only be 29 years old when the 2014 season opens, it sounds like the Braves are more than willing to take a risk. Previous reports indicated that the Nationals were showing a great deal of interest, but it sounds like O'Flaherty won't be changing uniforms. Since joining the Braves in 2009, the lefty has posted a 1.99 ERA in 249.1 innings.

ESPN's Jayson Stark reports that other clubs are "getting (the) feeling" that Eric O'Flaherty will re-sign with the Braves.

The Nationals, Dodgers and Phillies all reportedly have interest in the left-hander, but it appears O'Flaherty will probably stay in Atlanta. The southpaw won't be ready to contribute until sometime in May as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery but should be a weapon once he's healthy.

According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the Nationals are making a strong push to sign free agent southpaw Eric O'Flaherty.

The 28-year-old appeared in just 19 games for the Braves in 2013, posting a 2.50 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 11/5 K/BB ratio over 18 innings before undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery. Prior to the injury, O'Flaherty had established himself as one of the finest left-handed relievers in the National League. The Dodgers and Phillies are also known to have interest in his services.

Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post reports that the Nationals are interested in signing reliever Eric O'Flaherty.

The Braves are interested in re-signing Eric O'Flaherty.

O'Flaherty was limited to just 19 appearances this season before undergoing Tommy John surgery in late May. He probably can't be counted on to do much before the All-Star break next season but could prove to be a nice bargain if he can be brought back relatively cheaply. That said, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution notes that O'Flaherty "is expected to draw plenty of interest."

Braves transferred LHP Eric O'Flaherty from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.

It's a procedural move in order to clear room on the 40-man roster for Kameron Loe. O'Flaherty is out for the season following Tommy John surgery.

Eric O'Flaherty will undergo Tommy John surgery on Tuesday to repair a torn left ulnar collateral ligament.

It was inevitable after an MRI over the weekend revealed the bad news. In addition to obviously missing the rest of this season, O'Flaherty will likely be sidelined for the first couple months of the 2014 campaign, as well.

An MRI taken Saturday on Eric O'Flaherty's left arm revealed a torn ulnar collateral ligament.

That's the injury that almost always leads to Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery. O'Flaherty will visit Dr. James Andrews next week and is likely out for the year. The Atlanta bullpen continues to take big hits.

Braves placed LHP Eric O'Flaherty on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left elbow.

It's not clear yet how long he might be out. O'Flaherty was rocking a 2.50 ERA and 0.94 WHIP through 18 innings.

Eric O'Flaherty (groin) will make his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday.

O'Flaherty has been brought along slowly in camp due to a groin injury, but the Braves were just being extra cautious. He obviously has plenty of time to get for Opening Day.

Eric O'Flaherty is fully recovered from his recent groin injury.

O'Flaherty figures to need at least one live batting practice session before progressing to game action. As a reliever, he should only need a handful of appearances to prepare for the season. The 28-year-old had an excellent 1.73 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 46/19 K/BB ratio in 57 1/3 innings last season and is expected to play an important role in the Braves' bullpen again in 2013.

Eric O'Flaherty (groin) expects to appear in Grapefruit League action next week.

O'Flaherty has been nursing a minor groin ailment, and the Braves have also taken it slow with him in order to protect his back, which has often given him trouble. The southpaw will be a big part of a very formidable Braves' bullpen this season.