Atlanta called up Wilson Betemit as well as Travis Smith on September 1st and then activated Tim Drew from the DL on the 4th. RHP Roman Colon joined the team on the 8th, Jose Capellan returned on the 11th, and LHP Dan Meyer came up on the 14th.

Colon signed with the Braves as a non-drafted free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 1995. He moved slowly through the lower levels and missed 2000 due to injury, so he did not reach AAA Richmond in the International League until this season. While Colon worked primarily as a starter prior to 2004, he spent all of his time at AAA in relief, compiling a 64:22 K:BB with 72 H and 4 HR allowed in 74 IP for a 3.65 ERA over 51 appearances. Atlanta first promoted Colon to the majors on August 18th when Tim Drew hit the DL. However, the Braves demoted Colon on August 31st, so Atlanta could recall DeWayne Wise and make him eligible for the post-season roster. The 25-year-old should remain in a middle relief role for the remainder of the year, and if he continues to impress, he could earn a place in the team's 2005 pen or even a spot on their playoff roster if other relievers disappoint.

The Braves drafted Meyer out of James Madison University with the 34th overall pick in the first round of the 2002 draft. He spent the remainder of that season at Danville in the Rookie-level Appalachian League and then split 2003 between A Rome in the South Atlantic League and A+ Myrtle Beach in the Carolina League. While Meyer began this season at AA Greenville in the Southern League, in late June he advanced to AAA Richmond, where he compiled a 60:25 K:BB with 62 H and 6 HR allowed in 61.1 IP for a 2.79 ERA over 12 appearances, including 11 starts. He's demonstrated impressive dominance throughout the minors and triple-A is the first level at which he's struggled with his walk rate.

Atlanta plans to use Meyer in long relief for the rest of the month, sparing some of their regulars from pitching in low-impact situations and resting them for the playoffs. Given the control troubles that cropped up for the 23-year-old at AAA, I think he could use a few more months at that level in 2005 before joining the major league rotation. However, he should be a useful addition to the pen this September, and hopefully the experience he gains now will make his transition smoother next year.