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Jurrjens cleared for Spring Training takeoff

Right-hander pain-free after throwing BP on Tuesday

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By Mark Bowman / MLB.com

03/09/10 8:01 PM ET

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- When Jair Jurrjens learned that he was dealing with inflammation around his right shoulder, the Braves reacted by saying they fully expected that he would be ready by the start of the regular season.

Three weeks later, Jurrjens has provided them reason to alter their initial reaction.

After completing another pain-free batting practice session at ESPN's Wide World of Sports complex on Tuesday afternoon, Jurrjens took another positive step and gained clearance to make his Grapefruit League season debut on Thursday night at 7:05 ET against the Yankees in Tampa, Fla., on MLB.TV.

"JJ was on the money most of the time," manager Bobby Cox said after watching his 24-year-old hurler complete this five-minute exercise against hitters. "He was good. He's ready to go."

With the schedule allowing Jurrjens to make five starts during the exhibition season, he will have plenty of time to complete the workload necessary for him to be deemed ready for the start of the regular season. He will be scheduled to pitch two innings against the Yankees and one additional inning during each subsequent start.

Before making his regular-season debut against the Cubs on April 7, Jurrjens will work to find greater consistency with his control and find the feel that he lacked on Tuesday for his changeup and sinker.

"It's still early," Jurrjens said. "I'm just going to be feeling some pitches on Thursday and get to where I want to be for the first game."

Still, considering that Tuesday marked just the second time he's thrown to batters since Spring Training began, he walked away satisfied with the simple fact that it's been nearly two weeks since he's felt any sort of discomfort in the front of his right shoulder.

"The main thing was feeling no pain," he said. "I didn't really want to concentrate on location. I just wanted to make sure I threw all my pitches and make sure I have no pain."

Jurrjens completed his batting practice session by pitching to Matt Diaz, Eric Hinske, Omar Infante and Joe Thurston.

"JJ looked good," Diaz said. "Everything was late-moving. When it moved, it moved late, and when it didn't move, it got on you quick. I don't know how he felt, but hitting against him wasn't exactly comfortable. So I have to think he has to feel like he's getting close."

Once Jurrjens completed his session, Scott Proctor stood on the mound and completed his own. The intense right-handed reliever, who is attempting to return from Tommy John surgery, expressed his displeasure after missing his spot with a couple of pitches.

But Cox was again encouraged by the velocity displayed by Proctor, who seems to be ahead of the projected schedule of joining the bullpen during early May.

Mark Bowman is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.