Lowe, Jurrjens good to go for next starts

Lake Buena Vista, Fla. – Jair Jurrjens’ right shoulder and Derek Lowe’s right big toe felt fine Saturday, so anyone worried about the Braves’ starting rotation can probably take a deep breath and relax, for the time being.

Jurrjens said his arm felt good a day after he worked two innings Friday in a Grapefruit League debut delayed more than week while he recovered from shoulder inflammation.

He’ll make his next start Tuesday on three days’ rest instead of four, which will enable the Braves to keep the rotation in order after a rainout pushed Jurrjens’ debut back a day.

“He looked like he hadn’t skipped a beat,” Braves starter Tim Hudson said of Jurrjens, who retired six of seven Pittsburgh batters he faced Friday. “He’s as important as anybody to our club and to our pitching staff.

“Our staff is really strong, but at the same time, I don’t know that our depth is really all that great. So it’s going to be really important for us to stay healthy and strong throughout the year and just make sure we’re on top of it.”

Lowe tested his blistered toe in a Saturday morning bullpen session on the mound beyond right field at Champion Stadium. No problems, said the free-spirited veteran.

“Got everybody out,” quipped Lowe, who didn’t actually face hitters in the session. “Sexy, hair was parted, everything was good.”

But seriously … Lowe is in line to make his next start as planned, Monday against the Nationals over in Viera, Fla.

So far this spring, he’s pitched three innings in two starts. He had to abort after one inning (three runs, five hits) against the Mets due to a toe blister that formed quickly and popped on his third pitch.

Lowe, who had pitched two perfect innings against Washington in his March 5 debut, blamed himself for not having the toe taped this spring. He has taped it most of his career to prevent blisters.

The toe was taped Saturday, and Lowe said he would not skip that step again before pitching in any game or bullpen session.

Skipper monitors Saito

Manager Bobby  Cox went out to a backfield to watch struggling veteran reliever Takashi Saito throw batting practice to a few Braves hitters Saturday morning.

Saito has a 22.50 ERA and .500 opponents’ average after two appearances in which the 40-year-old righty has allowed six hits and five runs in two innings.

Saito faced Mitch Jones, Brooks Conrad and Gregor Blanco on Saturday. He gave up a few line drives to the outfield, but looked sharper than he has in his two Grapefruit League appearances.

“Real good,” Cox said of Saturday’s work. “He was down in the strike zone the entire session. I think he feels better, too.”

His fastball’s been spotty in his two appearances, but the Braves and Saito say they are unconcerned this early in spring. He’ll be a primary setup man and the backup closer to Billy Wagner.

Saito said he’s been working more on conditioning, including weightlifting, early in camp than on honing his pitches. He’ll work on his command and control now as the season draws near.

The Japanese pitcher wanted to do all he could to be stronger for the long season, since he’s expecting to be used plenty. Cox is known to use him primary relievers extensively.

Four Braves made 77 or more appearances in 2009, including a franchise-record 87 by setup man Peter Moylan and 80 by closer Mike Gonzalez, who signed as a free agent with Baltimore after the season.

Saito’s highest appearance total in the majors was 72 for the Dodgers in 2006, and he pitched in 56 games last season for Boston.