ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Atlanta Braves left-handed reliever Mike Gonzalez is set to come off the disabled list Wednesday, 13 months after ligament replacement surgery in his elbow.
Gonzalez's return also comes two weeks after closer John Smoltz had season-ending surgery on his right shoulder.Manager Bobby Cox said Gonzalez could move into the closer's role.
"We'll see. We'll play it by ear," Cox said Tuesday night before the Braves played Texas. "We certainly want him there."
Gonzalez was already with the team in Texas. After the Braves' 7-5 loss, Cox said right-hander Phil Stockman would be optioned to Triple-A Richmond to make room on the roster for Gonzalez, who had his surgery May 31, 2007.
Rafael Soriano (right elbow inflammation) and Peter Moylan (ligament replacement surgery), two other players who have been in the closer's role for Atlanta this season, are on the disabled list with Smoltz.
Left-handed starter Mike Hampton (strained left pectoral muscle), who has been on the DL all season, pitched two innings Tuesday in an extended spring training game in Orlando, Fla. Cox said Hampton would throw one more time there, then go on an injury rehabilitation assignment at Triple-A Richmond or Double-A Mississippi.
Cox said left-hander Tom Glavine, on the DL since last Wednesday with a strained elbow, will be out until the All-Star break.
