LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Rafael Soriano has frustrated the Braves with the multiple ailments that have sidelined him at various points over the past year. But the right-handed reliever says the discomfort he's been feeling in his left side this week shouldn't prevent him from beginning the season in Atlanta's bullpen.

Soriano initially felt the discomfort while throwing the final two pitches of his one-inning outing against the Pirates on Tuesday. But he didn't inform the Braves' medical staff until Wednesday afternoon, moments before the team was preparing to travel to Viera, Fla., to play the Nationals.

When Soriano arrived at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex on Friday, he said he felt better and reported that the slight discomfort he was feeling had moved from the front of his rib cage to the side.

Soriano, who is projected to serve as closer Mike Gonzalez's primary setup man, said that he's felt similar discomfort in the past and didn't miss any time.

"I think in a couple of days I'll throw a bullpen [session]," Soriano said.

When Soriano labored while recording three strikeouts and allowing two runs against the Pirates on Tuesday, it was originally thought that he was battling some of the breathing problems that have been present since he overcame an upper respiratory infection that bothered him at the beginning of camp.

Soriano made just 14 appearances last year while battling elbow discomfort that was relieved when his ulnar nerve was transposed in August. So far this year, the veteran reliever, who is in the final year of two-year, $9 million contract, hasn't experienced any arm problems.