ATLANTA - Braves left-hander Jung Bong will return to his preferred role as a starter after being sent down to AAA Richmond.<br>
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The Braves also placed struggling reliever Roberto Hernandez on the 15-day disabled Wednesday in a bullpen shuffle to accommodate the arrival of Kent Mercker.<br>
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Mercker was acquired from the Cincinnati Reds Tuesday for a player to be named.<br>
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The Braves also activated right-hander Trey Hodges from the disabled list. He had been out since July 26 with a strained muscle in his right elbow.<br>
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Bong was 6-2 with a 4.67 ERA in 40 games as the second left-hander in the bullpen behind Ray King. Mercker will take that role.<br>
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Bong, who jumped to the Braves this season from AA, will return to Atlanta after the major league rosters expand September 1.
