ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Relief pitcher Mike Gonzalez was removed from the disabled list by the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday, 13 months after ligament replacement surgery on his left elbow.
"It's great to be back," Gonzalez said prior to Wednesday night's game against the Texas Rangers. "I've been working for a year, two weeks and three days."Right-hander Phil Stockman was optioned to Triple-A Richmond to make room on the roster for Gonzalez, whose elbow surgery was on May 31, 2007.
Gonzalez has pitched 11 innings during two minor-league rehab stints with a 1-0 record and 0.82 ERA. He said his elbow has responded well.
"I've been hurt 16 months or so," he said. "You kind of start getting used to the pain. That wasn't the problem. My velocity dropped 10 or 12 miles per hour. My fastball is not exactly back to where it was, but I can be competitive.
"I don't remember how (his left elbow) was before. It's a new ligament so it feels like a new elbow. I'm happy I don't have any pain."
Gonzalez's return bolsters the Atlanta bullpen two weeks after closer John Smoltz had season-ending surgery on his right shoulder.
Manager Bobby Cox said Gonzalez was a candidate for the closer's role.
"It'll be by the seat of my pants," Cox said.
Rafael Soriano (right elbow inflammation) and Peter Moylan (ligament replacement surgery) also handled the closer's role for the Braves earlier this season before landing on the disabled list.
