Kyle

Davies

Davies only had problems with Sean Casey, who had a two-run homer and an RBI double. He gave up just two other hits and struck out seven. With John Thomson not lasting as long as hoped in his rehab start tonight, Davies will probably get one more start for the Braves.

Smoltz will go Friday and more help is on the way, as Mike Hampton and John Thomson could activated next weekend.

Davies will likely join the rotation Richmond, but since he’s currently seventh on Atlanta’s SP depth chart, it seems likely that he’ll work as a reliever when he returns to the Braves next month.

He’ll be sent down tomorrow to open up a roster spot for John Thomson.

This was the second rehab start for Davies. He is scheduled to make two more rehab starts before returning to the the Braves’ rotation.

He struck out three. Davies is scheduled to make three additional rehab starts, but if he’s especially impressive, maybe the Braves will bring him back after two more.

Davies was scheduled to work four innings, but needed 54 pitches just to get six outs as he struggled to throw strikes. He’ll make at least one and probably two more rehab starts.

Davies isn’t expected to return until after the All-Star break, but it is a positive sign that he was able to run and throw just two weeks after the operation.

“We’re hoping [he’s back in] around six to eight weeks, something like that,” manager Bobby Cox said. “If it’s sooner, that’d be great.” The Braves will replace Davies in the rotation first with Travis Smith and then with Horacio Ramirez once he comes off the disabled list.

This outing was much more positive than Davies’ first rehab start. He will likely need at least one more minor league start, but with the Braves rotation in disarray the team my activate him from the disabled list as soon as next week.