ATLANTA — Atlanta Braves reliever Rafael Soriano was unavailable for the third straight game on Sunday as he was given more rest following a recurrence of tendinitis in his right elbow.
Braves manager Bobby Cox said Sunday he hopes Soriano will be ready when the team, which is off today, opens a series at the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday.
Soriano, a right-hander, came off the disabled list on May 28 after missing 45 games with tendinitis in the elbow.
Soriano confirmed after Saturday night’s game he has more soreness in the elbow.
"I’ll be able to pitch," Soriano said, adding he just needs to rest "a couple days."
Soriano began warming up for a saves situation on Friday night but couldn’t pitch after experiencing discomfort.
Soriano appeared in back-to-back games on Monday and Tuesday, recording a save on Tuesday. He wasn’t available on Wednesday night, when Manny Acosta suffered a blown save. Soriano returned to earn his third save on Thursday night, giving up one hit in one inning, before saying he couldn’t pitch Friday night, when two ninth-inning walks by Blaine Boyer and a crucial error by Kelly Johnson helped the Phillies rally for a win.
Gonzalez continues recovery
Mike Gonzalez pitched one inning for Triple-A Richmond on Sunday, giving up two hits and one run with two strikeouts.
Gonzalez, returning from Tommy John elbow ligament-replacement surgery, was making his first appearance for Richmond. He gave up no runs over five innings in four appearances for Double-A Mississippi.
Gonzalez, who was expected to make only one or two appearances with Richmond, could come off the disabled list this week. With John Smoltz facing season-ending shoulder surgery on Tuesday and Soriano continuing to have elbow problems, Gonzalez could be an option in save situations.
"It’ll be good to get him back," Cox said.
McCann’s knee sore
Sunday was a scheduled day off for Brian McCann, who normally rests when Jorge Campillo is the starting pitcher. He probably would have been out of the starting lineup with a sore knee anyway.
McCann said he jammed his right knee on Friday night.
Corky Miller started Sunday but McCann hit a pinch-hit single in the eighth and caught the ninth inning.
McCann can give the knee more rest today, when the Braves are off. He said he hopes to start in Tuesday’s first game of a series at Chicago.
Worth noting
The Braves were 3-4 in the homestand, their first losing homestand of the season. ... Right-hander Chris Resop cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Richmond on Saturday. He gave up a run on Sunday. Resop was designated for assignment on May 26 when Buddy Carlyle was activated from the 15-day disabled list.