ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves optioned rookie Francisley Bueno to Triple-A Richmond on Thursday before learning the left-hander had been suspended for three games.

Bob Watson, baseball's vice president for discipline, announced the ban and a fine for intentionally throwing a pitch "in the head area" of Alfonso Soriano on Wednesday.

Bueno, making his major league debut, was ejected by plate umpire Ed Rapuano immediately after the pitch behind Soriano's head in the ninth inning of Atlanta's 10-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs.

Bueno, who yielded a two-run homer to Geovany Soto earlier in the ninth, was charged with two runs and five hits in 2 1-3 innings.

The incident came one inning after Soriano stood and admired a long flyball that hit the left-field wall. He ended up with a single, apparently thinking the ball would clear the fence.

Soriano apologized to manager Lou Piniella and his teammates after the game.

Bueno was optioned to Triple-A Richmond to clear a spot for Tom Glavine to start against the Cubs on Thursday night. Bueno's contract was purchased from Richmond on Aug. 4.

"When he came up here I told him it was probably for a short period of time," manager Bobby Cox said.
"It's a shame. He had his first outing yesterday. It wasn't real good, but it was his first outing."

Watson said Bueno appealed the suspension. If the appeal fails, the suspension would begin after Bueno is recalled to the majors.