Jordan Walden (shoulder) threw a bullpen session at Citi Field on Friday.

If Walden can avoid setbacks, he should be cleared for a rehab assignment and rejoin the Braves at some point next week. With Eric O'Flaherty out for the season, Walden is likely to return in a setup role with Luis Avilan.

Jordan Walden (shoulder) will not be ready to be activated from the disabled list next Monday.

That's the first day he's eligible to return, but the right-hander is not quite far along enough. Walden will throw a bullpen session later this week and then head out on a short minor league rehab assignment. He should be ready for activation just before the end of May.

Jordan Walden said his right shoulder felt "pretty good" after he played catch on Monday.

It's the first time he's played catch since landing on the disabled list. Walden is shooting to return next Monday when first eligible, but we won't know if that's a realistic goal until he throws from a mound. "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."

Braves placed RHP Jordan Walden on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 12, with right shoulder inflammation.

It's an injury that we hadn't heard about until now, but perhaps we should have known something was up with Walden allowing five runs over his last three appearances (1 1/3 innings). It's not clear at this point how long he'll be sidelined.

Jordan Walden retired all five Nationals he faced, striking out three of them, for the victory in relief as the Braves won 3-2 tonight.

Walden, acquired from the Angels for Tommy Hanson over the winter, has a 1.69 ERA in 10 2/3 innings to date. Incredibly, he's yet to walk a batter. The Angels soured on him during a 2012 season in which he walked 18 (and struck out 48) in 39 innings.

Jordan Walden made his spring debut Wednesday, giving up a run in an inning against the Pirates.

Walden walked two and allowed a hit as he attempts to shake some rust. He had been sidelined since the beginning of the spring with a bulging disc in his back.

Jordan Walden (back) will return to Grapefruit League action on Wednesday.

Walden was cleared after another pain-free live batting practice session on Monday. He's been limited to one spring appearance due to a bulging disc in his back, but he should be OK for Opening Day as long as he can avoid a setback. If Walden isn't ready for the opener, Anthony Varvaro is expected to take his spot in the bullpen.

Jordan Walden (back) threw live batting practice Saturday without any issues.

Walden has dealt with a bulging disc in his back for nearly all of camp, but still has a chance to be ready for Opening Day. He threw 35 pitches Saturday and should be cleared to return to Grapefruit League games by early next week.

Jordan Walden (back) will throw live batting practice Saturday.

He should return to Grapefruit League action after that. Walden has dealt with a bulging disc in his back nearly all of camp, but he's felt a ton better since receiving a pain-killing injection.

Jordan Walden (back) threw a 30-pitch bullpen session on Wednesday without any complications.

It was his second mound workout since he got a pain-killing injection in his ailing back. Walden is hoping to return to Grapefruit League action in a couple days.

Jordan Walden (back) is nearing a return to Grapefruit League action.

Walden threw a bullpen session Tuesday and will likely throw another one Thursday or Friday. After that, he should be game-ready. The hard-throwing reliever has made just one appearance this spring due to a bulging disc in his back, but he has time to prep for Opening Day.

Jordan Walden (back) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Tuesday.

It will be his first bullpen session since he received an epidural in his back last week. Walden has been limited to just one appearance this spring, but the Braves are still optimistic that he'll have enough time to get ready for Opening Day.

Jordan Walden received an epidural for his back and hopes to throw off a mound in two or three days.

Walden has been limited to just one appearance this spring due to back problems, but he has continued to do long tossing. Assuming the issue is behind him, he should be able to get enough appearances to be ready for Opening Day.

Jordan Walden has been sent back to Atlanta to have his sore back checked out.

Walden has been having back issues since February 23 and simply hasn't made the progress the Braves were hoping for. General manager Frank Wren doesn't think the reliever will be out long, but obviously it will be a little while before he's game-ready.

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez indicated Friday that Jordan Walden is still experiencing discomfort in his back, and could be sidelined for at least another week.

The organization still maintains that they're just being cautious and that it's nothing to be concerned about, but back injuries can tend to linger over the course of the season. Walden has been taking anti-inflammatory medication and completing rehab exercises to alleviate the problem and will be re-evaluated in a few days.

Jordan Walden was held out of an appearance Tuesday due to a sore back.

It's not anything to be concerned about. Walden is expected to throw a bullpen session in a day or two and could appear in a game by the end of the week.

Braves acquired RHP Jordan Walden from the Angels in exchange for RHP Tommy Hanson.

Walden began 2012 as the Angels' closer but didn't last long and spent a good chunk of the year on the DL. He has a fastball that can touch triple digits, though, and has a good chance at a bounce-back year if he can stay healthy. He'll help set up for Craig Kimbrel in Atlanta.

Jayson Stark of ESPN.com reports that the Angels have let teams know that Jordan Walden is "very available."

They're putting Walden on the block following the signing of Ryan Madson. Walden began 2012 as the Angels' closer but didn't last long and spent a good chunk of the year on the DL. He has a career 3.06 ERA and 10.8 K/9 rate, though, and should draw plenty of interest since he's only a first-time arbitration-eligible player. If the Halos are able to trade Walden, they would likely up their efforts to land Kyuji Fujikawa.

Angels activated RHP Jordan Walden from the 15-day disabled list.

Walden missed the last six weeks with biceps and neck injuries. He'll return to a 3.86 ERA and 1.57 WHIP over 31 appearances and will go back to a setup role.

Jordan Walden (neck) will be activated from the disabled list Saturday.

Walden and Scott Downs (shoulder) are expected to rejoin the Angels' bullpen, and both have the potential to be major contributors down the stretch. Look for Steven Geltz and Hisanori Takahashi to be optioned in corresponding moves.