Atomic RoadRunners | Andrew Flynn’s High-Energy Fantasy Baseball

Mike Gonzalez threw a scoreless ninth inning in Wednesday’s win over Texas, recording a save in his first appearance since coming off the DL. It looks like Atlanta has finally found its closer after Rafael Soriano’s elbow injury. He may not pitch back-to-back games initially, but it looks like he’s the arm to own for saves in the Atlanta bullpen. (Rotowire)

According to The Sports Xchange notes: LHP Mike Gonzalez (Tommy John surgery rehab) is scheduled to join the team in Arlington on Tuesday and be activated Wednesday during the three-game series with the Rangers. Gonzalez won’t return as the closer initially, but the door is clearly open to prove capable of the job. Consider him an outstanding sleeper in any Fantasy league you need a candidate for save chances in the near future. (CBS Sports)

FAAB Acquisitions:

• P Charlie Morton, Braves [$9 bid, add to actives]
• P Seth McClung, Brewers [$6 bid, add to actives]
• P Josh Johnson, Marlins [$0 bid]

Up:

• 3B/OF Chase Headley (to Utility)
• OF John Bowker
• P Jorge Campillo
• P Mike Gonzalez

Down:

• P Jason Marquis
• P Carlos Villanueva
• P Todd Wellemeyer
• P Jason Bergmann
• OF Ryan Spilborghs
• 3B Blake DeWitt

Cut:

• P Manny Acosta
• P Greg Reynolds
• P Doug Brocail

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that Mike Gonzalez (elbow) could return from the disabled list as soon as Friday. Gonzalez has spent two weeks on a minor league rehab assignment as he makes his way back from Tommy John surgery, posting a 0.82 ERA and 12/1 K/BB ratio in 11 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. Given the Braves’ bullpen struggles, it’s surprising that they haven’t already activated him. (Rotoworld)

While the Braves’ pen floundered, Mike Gonzalez (elbow) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings Thursday for Triple-A Richmond. Gonzalez did issue his first walk since beginning his rehab assignment. He’s allowed one run and struck out 10 in nine innings between Double-A Mississippi and Richmond. (Rotoworld)

Mike Gonzalez (elbow) pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings Tuesday for Triple-A Richmond. With Tom Glavine going on the disabled list, the Braves have a roster spot to play with. Perhaps they’ll use the opportunity to activate Gonzalez a little earlier than expected. He’s allowed one run and posted an 8/0 K/BB ratio in 7 2/3 innings on his rehab assignment. (Rotoworld)

Mike Gonzalez resumed his rehab from Tommy John surgery and needed only nine pitches to record three outs during an extended spring training game Friday. Eight of Gonzalez’s nine pitches were strikes and his fastball was clocked at 90 mph. He is expected to pitch again Monday. The Braves hope to get him back by the end of May. (Rotoworld)

Mike Gonzalez experienced a mild setback in his return from Tommy John surgery after complaining of elbow tightness. Gonzalez still hopes to return before the end of the month, but this could back him up at least a week or two. (Rotoworld)

Mike Gonzalez, who is on the way back from Tommy John surgery, could return to the Braves’ bullpen as soon as mid-May. Gonzalez is scheduled to pitch his last extended spring training game on May 14, and could skip a minor league rehab assignment and go right to the Atlanta bullpen. He’ll likely assume duties as the team’s primary setup man. (Rotoworld)

Braves reliever Mike Gonzalez pitched one perfect inning at extended spring training Thursday, his first appearance since undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery some 11 months ago. Gonzalez, who had 24 saves as Pittsburgh’s closer in 2006, struck out two in his appearance at Kissimmee, Florida. The left-hander was acquired by the Braves before last season in a deal that sent Adam LaRoche to the Pirates. Gonzalez went 2-0 with two saves and a 1.59 ERA in 18 appearances before he underwent Tommy John surgery on May 31. He’s ahead of schedule in his rehab, with the Braves hopeful that Gonzalez might return to the big league club by mid-May. His next appearance at extended spring training is scheduled for Saturday. The Braves weren’t really in need of Gonzalez until Rafael Soriano and Peter Moylan both went down with arm injuries. Now, Gonzalez can’t get healthy fast enough. There is a possibility Gonzalez will close out games down the road, so NL-only Fantasy owners will want to stash him away. (CBS Sports)

According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Mike Gonzalez is well ahead of schedule in his recovery from Tommy John surgery and hopes to return next month. Gonzalez threw 23 pitches during a two-inning simulated game on Tuesday. Gonzalez was initially expected to be sidelined through the All-Star break, but he’s avoided setbacks and might be able to make it back just 12 months after surgery. If healthy Gonzalez would replace Peter Moylan as the Braves’ primary setup man and could work his way into the mix for saves depending on Rafael Soriano’s health. (Rotoworld)

BP’s Will Carroll has an update in today’s Under The Knife:

We’ve heard this story before—a hard-throwing closer blows out his elbow, gets Tommy John surgery, then comes back early. This time, it’s Gonzalez who’s well ahead of schedule, not B.J. Ryan, throwing a simulated game and going two innings while showing solid velocity. Although he didn’t throw breaking balls, it was a big step forward. The Braves’ medical staff now believes that Gonzalez is ready for an imminent rehab assignment and could be back as soon as mid-May. The typical questions apply about his stamina, stuff, and his ability to recover for use in consecutive games, but the Braves are unusually excited about Gonzalez’s prospects to answer positively to all of them. With Rafael Soriano and Peter Moylan both out, getting Gonzalez back early could be huge. Look for a rehab road map to be laid out next week, with the rehab assignment starting late next week.

Mike Gonzalez has pitched effectively in simulated games at extended spring training and is ahead of schedule in his recovery from Tommy John Surgery. Originally, after Gonzalez underwent the surgery, he wasn’t expected back until the All-Star break. He showed progress at spring training which pushed his return to early June. Now the Braves are talking about him being ready by late May. He has another month of simulated games, then could start a rehab assignment. (Rotoworld)

John Bowker was acquired and activated today with a $2 FAAB bid. Bowker, who became the first Giants player to homer in his first two games last weekend, hit his first career triple leading off the seventh inning Tuesday against the Diamondbacks and singled in the ninth. Bowker finished 2-for-4 with a run scored and is 6-for-10 with seven RBI in his first three major-league games. From the pre-season CBS Sports preview: Bowker is a 24-year-old outfield prospect who hit .307 with 22 homers, 90 RBI, 70 runs, three steals, a .363 OBP and a .523 OBP in 522 Double-A at-bats last season. He is behind Nate Schierholtz and Daniel Ortmeier in the pecking order this season, but he has more long-term potential than both — particularly because of his power. Consider him a prospect flier and a potential contributor in NL-only leagues sometime during the 2008 season.

Mike Gonzalez was acquired today with a $0 FAAB bid. According to CBS Sports, Gonzalez has begun throwing live batting practice and may be pitching in extended spring training in Florida as early as next week. He opened the season on the DL following Tommy John surgery last May. Gonzalez is a decent middle reliever and might even be a candidate to close at some point, but stash him on DL lists only in the deepest of NL Fantasy leagues at this point. With all the turmoil in the Braves bullpen, he might be the best bet out there, and a possible sleeper protection.

FAAB Acquisitions:

• OF John Bowker, Giants ($2 bid) [active]
• P Mike Gonzalez, Braves ($0 bid)

Up:

• P Jon Lieber, Cubs
• P Peter Moylan, Braves
• OF Brian Barton, Cardinals

Down:

• OF Shane Victorino, Phillies (15-Day DL)
• OF Rajai Davis, Giants
• P Chuck James, Atlanta
• P Zach Duke, Pirates

Cut:

• OF Gregor Blanco, Braves
• 3B Greg Dobbs, Phillies