John Smoltz will pitch for Class AA Mississippi on Saturday to begin what's expected to be a short injury-rehab assignment before he rejoins the Braves.

The veteran will come back from the disabled list as a closer instead of a starter, because he believes pitching in short bursts will give him a better chance of avoiding more trips to the DL this season for his shoulder woes. Manager Bobby Cox said Smoltz would throw one or two innings Saturday, depending upon his pitch count. Cox said it hasn't been determined whether Smoltz would be activated after Saturday or extend the rehab assignment.

Cox reiterated that Smoltz would come back as a reliever. "I wish we could clone him, to have him in the rotation and closing," Cox said. "That'd be nice."

The 41-year-old right-hander has been on the DL nearly four weeks with inflammation of the rotator cuff and biceps tendon in his right shoulder.

This week Smoltz lowered his arm angle to three-quarters and was able to pitch with little or no discomfort in bullpen sessions and during an impressive performance Thursday in simulated-game conditions against Braves hitters.

The Braves could also have closer Rafael Soriano (sore elbow) and left-hander Mike Gonzalez back from the DL soon. Soriano had a strikeout in a perfect inning in his second relief appearance for Mississippi Friday, and his fastball was clocked at 93 mph. Gonzalez (elbow) is a week from his "Tommy John" surgery one-year anniversary and is expected to begin a rehab assignment in a few days.

Pena designated for assignment

Backup catcher Brayan Pena was activated from the DL and then designated for assignment Friday, a move that signaled the likely end of his Braves career.

The Braves have 10 days to move his contract, and several teams have expressed trade interest in the switch-hitter. Pena was out of minor-league options.

He could be sent to Class AAA Richmond if he clears waivers, but that's not likely. Cox said he was sure Pena would end up with a major-league team.

"It's going to be great for Brayan," Cox said. "He's going to be in the big leagues somewhere. Great kid. What an organizational treasure."

Pena hit .236 with two homers and 12 RBIs in 127 at-bats during parts of four seasons with the Braves. He hit .303 with 15 homers in 530 minor-league games.

The Braves consider Corky Miller a superior defensive player and game-caller.

"I really appreciate all the Braves and Bobby Cox have done for me," said Pena, 26, a Cuban defector who spent eight years in the organization. "It's hard. I've been with the Braves for God knows how long. But it's business.

"It's like a long-term marriage [dissolving]. ... The only thing I heard was when [general manager] Frank Wren said, 'You're not with this team anymore.' This is like my family, man. I lost it [emotionally] for a little bit."

Pena was widely popular in the clubhouse. Shortstop Yunel Escobar, his close friend since their childhood in Havana, appeared deeply saddened by the news, staring straight into his locker for an extended period after talking to Pena.

Escobar just shook his head to a reporter when asked about losing Pena.