Smoltz pondering return to bullpen

ATLANTA -- Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz, who already went from starter to closer to starter again, is planning to go back to the bullpen once he comes off the 15-day disabled list.

The 40-year-old right-hander had shoulder problems last season and he's already been on the DL twice this season.

Smoltz, the 1996 Cy Young Award winner, is the only pitcher in baseball history with at least 200 wins and 150 saves. This season, he became the 16th hurler to reach 3,000 strikeouts in his career.

The Braves were off Thursday. The team has lost four straight games.