Braves activate Ben Sheets to pitch out of bullpen

Braves starting pitcher Ben Sheets returns from the disabled list to a long-relief role.

The Atlanta Braves activated Ben Sheets from the 15-day disabled list on Saturday.

Sheets last pitched on Aug. 24 and was on the disabled list due to inflammation in his pitching shoulder. The 34-year-old returns with a 4-4 record in eight starts with a 3.54 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 33 strikeouts in 48 1/3 innings this season. He joined the club in July, having missed all of the 2009 and 2011 seasons because of injuries.

With the Braves receiving strong pitching performances from Mike Minor and especially Kris Medlen in recent weeks, Sheets has no open rotation spot waiting for him. Instead, he will pitch out of the bullpen as a long reliever for the time being. The Braves have not indicated the desire to move to a six-man rotation to accommodate Sheets's return.

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