Atlanta Braves News: Bullpen About To Receive Huge Boost

The Atlanta Braves are about to make the best acquisition a team could make, and they won't have to give away any players to do it.

Over the course of the next two weeks, the Braves bullpen is about to get a brand new look. Rafael Soriano, Mike Gonzalez, and John Smoltz, all former closers, are scheduled to return to the team in the near future.

If all three are able to return to form, Atlanta will quickly have arguably the best bullpen in baseball.

Soriano has missed the last six weeks due to tendinitis in his right elbow. He could be the first one activated, as early as Monday. In his second rehab appearance for Class AA Mississippi on Friday, he recorded a strikeout in a perfect inning. According to the team, his fastball was clocked as high as 93 miles per hour.

Gonzalez is looking to make a successful comeback from Tommy John surgery on his elbow 12 months ago. The left-hander may be the furthest away from his original form when he returns. He pitched an inning Friday and Saturday in extended spring training, and is on his way to Atlanta to be checked by team doctors. If all is well, Gonzalez will begin his rehab stint with Class AAA Richmond.

Smoltz went on the disabled list a couple of weeks ago with an inflamed shoulder, and decided that his career as a starting pitcher is over. The only player to ever record 200 wins and 150 saves, Smoltz will become the Braves' closer when he returns to the field. In his first rehab appearance Saturday, he faced four batters and allowed one hit on twelve pitches. The most important thing for the Braves, may have been that Smoltz told the team he felt fine after.

The 41-year old Smoltz will employ a new three-quarter style delivery when he returns. This arm angle allows his to throw with very little discomfort.

Bobby Cox has not decided how he is going to use these three when they return, but you know he must be salivating thinking about the possibilities with three former closers returning to the team.

If National League teams haven't noticed the Braves starting to play better, they might want to pay attention. This team may just be getting started.

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