ATLANTA — Derek Lowe had to skip his off-day throwing session because of lingering pain near his right elbow, and he won't be able to make his next scheduled start Friday.

Lowe tried to throw Wednesday after receiving a cortisone shot, but his right arm was still too sore. Former fifth starter Kenshin Kawakami is back with the team after a stint at Triple-A Gwinnett and seems the most likely candidate to start the opener of a weekend series at Florida.

Lowe hopes that extra rest will help him get back on the mound. Even though he's been a bit of a disappointment in Atlanta, the first-place Braves would surely hate to lose another starter. Kris Medlen already went down with a season-ending elbow injury and was replaced by rookie Mike Minor.