"Right-hander John Smoltz reported big improvement in his right shoulder Sunday, and he expects to throw a side session this week before starting Sept. 20 against the Cubs. Smoltz, who will miss his scheduled start on Monday because of tendinitis and inflammation in his right shoulder, said Saturday he probably wouldn't throw much before taking the mound against the Cubs on ESPN. But after having much more range of motion than he expected on Sunday, he plans to play catch on Monday or Tuesday and hopes to throw a side session no later than Wednesday. "My routine in situations like this is two, three, four days, and I will be back out playing catch and throwing," Smoltz said. "I can pitch through it. Tendinitis, in most cases, you warm up and get through the rough point and you don't miss a beat. But you know that it will take more and more of that and get harder and harder to get loose."