WASHINGTON (AP) -The Atlanta Braves put left-hander Mike Gonzalez on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left elbow and recalled lefty Macay McBride from Triple-A Richmond before Wednesday night’s game against the Washington Nationals.
The Braves did get some good news: Third baseman Chipper Jones was back in the starting lineup after missing four games with hand and thumb injuries, and John Smoltz said he’ll be able to make his next start against the Boston Red Sox after hurting his throwing hand Monday.
Gonzalez, who is 2-0 with two saves and a 1.59 ERA, left Tuesday’s 6-2 victory over Washington after two-thirds of an inning, when his velocity dropped. After the game, he told manager Bobby Cox he was fine – but a few minutes later, Gonzalez felt arm spasms while in the shower.
Gonzalez is to have an MRI exam Thursday in Atlanta.
“It’s hard to explain,” Cox said. “He didn’t feel any pain whatsoever.”
McBride was with Atlanta for five games this season before being optioned to Richmond on April 14.
Jones returned to his customary No. 3 spot in the batting order against the Nationals after X-rays on his right wrist Tuesday showed no structural damage. Jones, hitting .303 with a team-high 10 homers, was sidelined after colliding with Pittsburgh third baseman Jose Bautista in a game Friday.
Smoltz (5-2), hurt in Monday’s 2-1 loss to Washington, threw a side session before Wednesday’s game. He said that while he still felt some soreness in his dislocated right pinky, he felt comfortable with all of his pitches.
“Barring anything that happens over the next couple days, I don’t see it being a problem,” said Smoltz, slated to pitch Saturday at Fenway Park.
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