CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that the best-case scenario is Jonny Venters (elbow) being sidelined for a month.

The worst case is probably Tommy John surgery. Venters met with Dr. James Andrews Monday, and Heyman notes that there is "obvious concern" with the left-hander. The southpaw has made more relief appearances over the past three seasons than any other pitcher in the game and it's finally caught up to him.

Braves placed LHP Jonny Venters on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 27, with a left elbow sprain.

Though he's been diagnosed with a sprain for now, Venters is scheduled to visit Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday and it's possible a more serious ailment will be found. Consider him out indefinitely for now.

Jonny Venters (elbow) is scheduled to visit Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday.

That's usually not a good sign. Venters left a Grapefruit League appearance Tuesday afternoon because of a left elbow strain and the Braves now want to find out the exact extent of the damage. The 28-year-old southpaw has made more relief appearances over the past three seasons than any other pitcher in Major League Baseball. And his left arm is paying for it.

Jonny Venters (elbow) is scheduled to be examined by the Braves' team doctor Wednesday.

Venters exited Tuesday's Grapefruit League game with a left elbow sprain. He's almost certainly headed for the disabled list, but we should have a better idea about what he's dealing with after Wednesday's doctor visit.

Jonny Venters exited Tuesday's Grapefruit League game with a left elbow sprain.

Uh oh. Venters made his first Grapefruit League appearance in nearly two weeks on Tuesday and it was clear something just wasn't quite right. It would be surprising if he avoids a stint on the disabled list, so Cristian Martinez and Anthony Varvaro appear likely to make the Opening Day roster.

David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution suspects that Jonny Venters is dealing with an injury.

Venters made his first appearance since March 13 on Tuesday and was pulled after giving up three runs on two hits and two walks over just one-third of an inning. For what it's worth, the southpaw had a stint on the disabled list last season due to a left elbow impingement. The Braves should provide an update on his status soon.

According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, there is "talk among scouts" that the Braves will listen to all trade offers for left-handed reliever Jonny Venters.

But the Braves told Rosenthal that they "love" their bullpen depth. Venters, 27, posted a 3.22 ERA and 69/28 K/BB ratio in 58 2/3 innings last season. He had a 1.84 ERA and 96/43 K/BB ratio over 88 innings in 2012.

Braves avoided arbitration with LHP Jonny Venters by agreeing to a one-year, $1.625 million contract.

Venters, who was arbitration-eligible for the first time, fell back in 2012 but still posted a 3.22 ERA while striking out well over a batter per inning. He'll return to help set up Craig Kimbrel again in 2013.

Jonny Venters told MLB.com's Mark Bowman on Wednesday that his elbow feels "really good."

Venters was recently given a week off after complaining of minor elbow soreness. And it seems to have done the trick. "It really made a big difference, the ball is coming out as good as it has the whole year," Venters said Wednesday. "It feels really good. I'm excited about it."

Jonny Venters (elbow) is available to pitch Sunday after throwing a successful bullpen session Saturday.

Venters hasn't pitched in a week due to a sore left elbow. It's been a very disappointing season for the southpaw, as he's struck out 49 over 36 1/3 innings but also walked 19 while posting a 3.96 ERA and 1.73 WHIP.

Braves activated LHP Jonny Venters from the 15-day disabled list.

Venters needed just over the minimum to return and was cleared after completing a brief rehab assignment. He'll return to 4.45 ERA in 32 1/2 innings with the Braves this season, and will be available Saturday out of the bullpen against the Nationals.

Jonny Venters (elbow) looked strong in his first rehab appearance with Triple-A Gwinnett, retiring all three hitters he faced in his inning of work.

Venters needed just six pitches to induce a pair of flyouts and a weak ground ball. He'll make a second appearance on Sunday, and if all goes well he'll be activated and return to the Braves bullpen on Monday.

Jonny Venters (elbow) said he felt good after doing some light throwing on Wednesday.

Venters planned to do more throwing Thursday, including some long toss. The Braves hope he'll be ready to return as soon as he's eligible next Friday, though it's possible he could need a couple rehab appearances first.

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez expects Jonny Venters (elbow) to be activated from the disabled list when first eligible.

Venters is dealing with an impingement in his left elbow, but he has no structural damage and will not require an MRI. "When I talked to our medical people, they said it wasn't serious," said Gonzalez. "But I think the combination of the inflammation, the impingement of the elbow, and the way things are going - I think this would be a good time to go back to square 1, work on some things that he needs to work on, and then come back out."

Braves placed LHP Jonny Venters on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 4, with a left elbow impingement.

Venters has been scored upon in two of his last four appearances, and he's been a disappointment most of the year, posting a 4.26 ERA and 1.80 WHIP over 39 appearances. It's not clear how long the elbow has been bothering him or how long he'll be out. Luis Avilan has been promoted in a corresponding move.

Jonny Venters gave up a run on three hits in a seventh inning appearance Tuesday against the Cardinals.

He entered the game with the Braves up 5-3, and then gave way to Eric O'Flaherty to start the eighth inning. While only three of his 22 appearances this year have come in the seventh, this was the first time he entered to protect a lead. After closing out April with a 0.00 ERA, Venters has surrendered nine runs (eight earned) in 10 2/3 this month. A big problem has been leadoff hitters, who are batting .400 against him this season versus .184 in 2011.

Jonny Venters returned to action on Tuesday May 8.

Jonny Venters will test out his shoulder during a light bullpen session Sunday.

Venters felt a little tightness in his shoulder during his last appearance on Wednesday, but he insists it's no big deal. Assuming he gets through the session OK, he'll be available to pitch Sunday.

Jonny Venters (elbow) felt good after throwing 25 pitches in a bullpen session Tuesday.

Venters hasn't appeared in a Grapefruit League game since March 18 due to elbow soreness, but it's not considered a major issue. He hopes to pitch in a game within the next couple of days and should be ready for the start of the season.

Jonny Venters is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Sunday.

Venters hasn't reported any issues with his previously sore elbow and is considered day-to-day. The Braves likely just didn't want to take any chances coming off his huge workload last season.