ATLANTA -- After receiving positive reports following Julio Teheran's rehab start with Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday, Braves manager Brian Snitker is optimistic the All-Star right-hander will return to the team this weekend.
Recovering from a right lat strain, Teheran allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and struck out five batters across five innings, throwing 73 pitches, 51 for strikes.
"It was kind of one of those [outings] where he got better as he was out there," Snitker said. "So I kind of think that once he started turning the ball loose and convincing himself that he probably felt really good that he was."
While Teheran hasn't officially been named the starter, he could possibly take the mound for Friday's series opener vs. the Nationals. The 25-year-old is 3-3 with a 3.95 ERA in 13 career starts against Washington.
"He's going to throw [side sessions] and everything," Snitker said. "He'll take today off and again tomorrow, and then after he throws his side, we'll know for sure everything is really good, which we don't see any reason not to feel that."

Good news for Withrow
After being diagnosed with what Snitker called a form of tendinitis in his right elbow, Chris Withrow played catch on Tuesday for the first time in a week. Snitker said he talked to Withrow after the session and received encouraging feedback from the reliever.
Before his injury, Withrow had posted a 1.47 ERA and limited opponents to a .197 batting average over his past 22 appearances. But even without him, the Braves' bullpen has found success, entering Tuesday's game with a National League-best 2.49 ERA in August.
"He'll have to have an inning or two somewhere before he comes back, but what I think what it does is it opens the door for him to finish the year healthy and to help us," Snitker said. "It's going to do nothing but make our bullpen better."