ATLANTA - Rookie reliever Tim Spooneybarger was sent to the minors Friday by the Atlanta Braves, making room for Jason Marquis to come off the disabled list. <br>
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Marquis is scheduled to pitch Saturday against San Diego, his first appearance since April 14. He went on the DL with tendinitis in his right shoulder. <br>
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Spooneybarger, who has no record with a 3.50 ERA in 19 games, began the season as the right-handed setup man for closer John Smoltz, but that role diminished in recent weeks. <br>
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The 22-year-old Spooneybarger was shipped to Triple-A Richmond, where he went 3-0 with an 0.71 ERA and five saves last season. <br>
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``Spooney can go down and pitch more regularly than he was here,'' manager Bobby Cox said. ``It's probably better for us and him that he's down there closing, then he can come back here when we need him.'' <br>
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Spooneybarger was the least experienced pitcher in a bullpen that has gotten surprising production from Darren Holmes (2-0, 1.42 ERA, one save), Chris Hammond (1-1, 2.50) and Kevin Gryboski (0-1, 0.73). <br>
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Former closer Kerry Ligtenberg has walked 15 in 14 2-3 innings but is a notoriously slow starter. Also crowding the situation, former starter Albie Lopez is now working in relief. <br>
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``It stinks being young sometimes,'' Greg Maddux said. ``We've all been there. I've been sent down a few times myself. As a young player, you think it's the worst thing that can happen to you.'' <br>
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The free-spirited Spooneybarger was clearly caught off guard by the move. He took a few questions, answering just about all of them with one or two words. <br>
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``Whatever they think,'' he said, shrugging his shoulders. <br>
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Before Spooneybarger left the clubhouse, Holmes pulled up a chair and spoke privately with the rookie. Some of the younger players also came by to console him. <br>
