ATLANTA - Righthander John Thomson will return to the
mound for the first time in nearly three months to square off
against a former teammate.
On Saturday, the Atlanta Braves activated John Thomson from the
60-day disabled list to oppose the Arizona Diamondbacks and
former Brave Russ Ortiz, who was activated from the 15-day DL.
Thomson last started on May 16 at San Diego, pitching 4 1/3
innings before suffering a a strained flexor tendon in his right
middle finger. In his most recent rehab start for Class AA
Mississippi of the Southern League on Tuesday, he allowed a run
and four hits in six innings.
The 31-year-old Thomson is 3-2 with a 3.42 ERA in eight starts
this season. He enjoyed a breakout season with the Braves in
2004, going 14-8 with a 3.72 ERA in 33 starts.
A staffmate of Thomson's last year, Ortiz went 15-9 with a 4.13
ERA in 34 starts. Signed to four-year deal worth $33 million
over the winter, Ortiz was 4-6 with a 5.88 ERA before being
placed on the 15-day disabled list on June 18 with a right rib
cage strain.
In three minor league rehab starts, Ortiz posted a 19.06 ERA in
11 1/3 innings. In his most recent tuneup for Class AAA Tucson
of the Pacific Coast League on Monday, he allowed seven runs and
three homers in six innings.
Ortiz, who won a career-high 21 games in his first season with
the Braves in 2003, has a career mark of 107-66 with a 4.10 ERA
with San Francisco, Atlanta and Arizona.
To make room for Ortiz on their roster, the Diamondbacks
optioned catcher Koyie Hill to Tucson and transferred lefthander
Shawn Estes to the 60-day disabled list.
Also Saturday, Arizona activated righthander Brandon Lyon, who
began the season as the team's closer, from the 60-day disabled
list and optioned fellow righty Mike Koplove to the Sidewinders.
Lyon had been surprisingly effective for the Diamondbacks,
converting 13 saves in 14 opportunities - including 12 straight
prior to suffering a strained right elbow - and posting a 1.96
ERA despite an 0-2 record.
The Braves optioned rookie Kyle Davies to Class AAA Richmond of
the International League to make room for Thomson. A native of
nearby Decatur, Georgia, Davies is 6-3 with a 4.56 ERA in 14
games - 13 starts - with the Braves this season.