Longtime Braves strength-and-conditioning coach Frank Fultz is being replaced effective immediately, a highly unusual midseason move for the organization.

A team official confirmed the Braves would announce Wednesday that Fultz has been replaced by Phil Falco, a minor-league roving strength-and-conditioning instructor in the Braves organization.

The official would not say if Fultz was stepping down voluntarily. Fultz, 56, has been the Braves' strength-and-conditioning coach since 1992.

He began his professional career as assistant strength in 1986 as an assistant strength-and-conditioning coach with the Houston Astros, while serving concurrently as associate head baseball coach at the University of Houston.

Fultz was a strength-and-conditioning coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1988-91.