Atlanta sent a player to be named later to Cincinnati for LHP Kent Mercker yesterday, signaling that the Braves are not taking their playoff position for granted, despite an 11.5 game lead in the NL East.

The Braves haven't announced who they'll send down to make room for Mercker on the roster, and they need to clear room for RHP Trey Hodges return from the disabled list in the near future as well. Hodges hit the disabled list in late July with a strained right elbow, but his rehab went quickly and Atlanta is expected to activate him any day now. Jung Bong looks likely to head to AAA Richmond, as he's struggled in the second half and there's little reason for the Braves to carry three lefty relievers.

As Will Cunnane was the most recent pitcher to join the bullpen, he tops the list of candidates for demotion. Cunnane replaced Darren Holmes in the pen last week when the Braves placed Holmes on the disabled list with a sore shoulder. An MRI has since revealed that Holmes has a partially torn rotator cuff. The tear reportedly isn't large, so Holmes plans to rehab the injury and hopes to return in September.