LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Braves have never been overly concerned about Rafael Soriano's elbow, and after watching him complete a bullpen session at Disney's Champion Stadium on Tuesday afternoon, they had even more reason to believe their closer is healthy.

After completing a 10-minute bullpen session, Soriano said he felt no discomfort in his right elbow and that he would like to make his Grapefruit League debut later this week.

"It was a normal bullpen for me," said Soriano, who revealed some minimal discomfort after a bullpen session he'd completed Friday.

While Soriano would like to make his debut on Thursday or Friday, Braves manager Bobby Cox said the team feels no reason to rush him to the mound. Both have the belief that he could debut next week and still be able to make enough appearances to be ready for the start of the regular season.

"I don't like to throw too many innings [during Spring Training]," Soriano said. "I don't need 20 innings to be ready for the season. Last year, I threw like eight or nine innings."

After completing nine Grapefruit League innings last year, Soriano began the season by making five consecutive scoreless appearances in a span of seven days. More importantly, last year marked the first season since 2003 that the right-hander completed without going on the disabled list.

Soriano, who is entering the season for the first time as a closer, began feeling some discomfort above his elbow at the beginning of the month. Never did he feel like he had before having to undergo Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery in 2004.

"At this point, everything feels different," Soriano said. "I don't think it will be anything serious."