The move was announced during Wednesday night's game against St. Louis, after manager Bobby Cox said before the game that he planned to keep his starting rotation in order.

Kawakami got pounded for eight runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings Sunday at Cincinnati in his fourth start, the worst performance for the right-hander since he signed a three-year, $23 million contract with the Braves in January after 11 seasons in the Japanese Central League.

Kawakami also had one spring-training start moved back because of fatigue in his pitching shoulder.

Infante back in lineup

Omar Infante started at second base and batted leadoff for the Braves again Wednesday, replacing slumping Kelly Johnson for the second consecutive game. Johnson was 4-for-39 with no extra-base hits in his past 11 games, which had dropped his average to .203 and his on-base percentage to .295.

"I'm not fazed" by sitting back-to-back games, Johnson said. "Whether it's a couple of days, a few days, a week, whatever it is. I'll get a chance to come back, a chance to play.

"We're only talking about a limited number of at-bats we've had so far."

Cox said playing utilityman Infante another day would "get Kelly some time to get going again. He'll be back in there again real soon."

Infante was batting .314 in 35 at-bats before Wednesday. He had a single and a walk in four plate appearances Tuesday to give him a .375 average (6-for-16) and .474 on-base percentage from the leadoff position.

St. Louis used right-handed starting pitchers Tuesday and Wednesday. Although Johnson bats left-handed, he has hit much better against lefties (.325). His .136 average against right-handers was fourth-lowest in the NL before Wednesday. Infante was 7-for-19 (.368) with a .429 OBP against right-handers.

Mac at Myrtle Beach

Catcher Brian McCann reported improved comfort with the new contacts he wore Tuesday in the first rehab game with Class A Myrtle Beach.

He went 0-for-3 with a strikeout while serving as designated hitter, and was expected to DH again Wednesday night for the Pelicans.

Cox said he didn't know where or how often the three-time All-Star would play in minor league rehab games after Wednesday. McCann isn't eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list until a May 8 series opener at Philadelphia.

He's on the DL while doctors try to find a remedy for recent dryness and blurry vision McCann had in his left eye. When two different contact lenses prescribed for the left eye didn't solve the problem, McCann saw a different ophthalmologist Tuesday and was fitted for new contacts for both eyes, which he's trying out in minor league games.

The Braves' offseason signing of backup David Ross has paid quick dividends. The veteran has played every game in McCann's absence, and was 9-for-25 (.360) with three doubles, two homers and six RBIs in eight games before Wednesday.

Braves pitchers have a 3.21 ERA in 70 innings with Ross catching, compared to 4.54 in 105 innings with McCann.