NL | Braves' Jeff Francoeur back after 3 days in minors

Jeff Francoeur's stint in the minor leagues lasted all of three days. The Braves have recalled their right fielder, and he was to join the team in Los Angeles on Monday.

Francoeur left Atlanta on Friday with a .234 batting average and the weight of the world on his shoulders, upset that he was being sent down after three years in the major leagues. He will return having hit .538 (7 for 13) in three games for Class AA Mississippi, with a triple and two runs batted in.

It was originally planned that Francoeur would stay in Class AA for a minimum of 10 days, until after the All-Star break. However, with the rash of injuries that hit the Braves over the weekend the Braves saw an opportunity to call him back up.

"It had everything to do with the four hits he had yesterday and seven hits he had in three days and starting to relax," Braves general manager Frank Wren said Monday. "It was not until we had our call with the coaches this morning we had made the decision. It was not predicated on injuries at all. When we felt like he was comfortable swinging the bat and looking like his old self, we wanted to bring him back."

The injuries did clear a roster spot for him. A player can return within 10 days from the minor leagues if he's replacing an injured player on the roster. The Braves disabled three players on Sunday night, pitchers Jeff Bennett and Manny Acosta and utility man Omar Infante.

Wren said Francoeur would fly to join the team in Los Angeles Monday but probably wouldn't be in the starting lineup.

"I think he's really in a good place," his agent Molly Fletcher said. "Through this situation, he realized he had to remain positive and embrace it. Although it was something that upset him, he went down there and did what he needed to do and proved where he belongs."

Cincinnati: Reds shortstop Alex Gonzalez, 31, had surgery on his left knee, ending his season before he got to play a single game. Team medical director Dr. Timothy Kremcheck performed the one-hour surgery and said Gonzalez could be ready for spring training next year.

Florida: Marlins C Matt Treanor left the game in the ninth. He was hit on the right foot by teammate Alfredo Amezaga's infield single and appeared to grab his abdomen after trying to jump out of the way of the ball.

Milwaukee: The Brewers placed RHP Jeff Suppan on the 15-day disabled list because of joint irritation in his pitching elbow, temporarily making room on the roster for new acquisition CC Sabathia. Suppan said he hurt his elbow during an at-bat in his May 23 start at Washington, and it wasn't getting any better as he attempted to pitch through the injury.

Philadelphia: RHP Brett Myers made his second start for Class AAA Lehigh Valley, giving up seven hits and three runs in 7-1/3 innings. He struck out six and walked two.

Pittsburgh: The Pirates announced that OF Steve Pearce will be optioned to AAA Indianapolis to make room for RHP Ian Snell, who will be activated from the disabled list to start tonight's game against the Astros.

Seattle Times news services