Milwaukee — Center fielder Mark Kotsay was out of the lineup for the second consecutive game Tuesday night with tightness in his back. It's the first time in his two months with the Braves he has missed back-to-back starts because of his back.

The club knew there would be stretches when Kotsay's back might act up — coming off surgery, he was limited him to 56 games last year for Oakland. They still see this as a day-to-day injury, but they are considering some options if his problems should continue.

Manager Bobby Cox indicated Tuesday he's at least thinking about placing Kotsay on the disabled list, if the back pain lingers, when they activate reliever Rafael Soriano from the DL. That would give the Braves bullpen an extra arm for this road stretch.

"If Kotsay's back is really bad, we'll see," Cox said. "If Soriano throws good, [gets one day's rest] tomorrow, we should bring him on [the roster] the day after. See how Kotsay's back is. See if we can catch up on our pitching a little bit, too."

Soriano threw a successful bullpen session Tuesday in Milwaukee, which he characterized as good and pitching coach Roger McDowell called "perfect."

"See how he feels tomorrow," McDowell said afterward.

If all is good, he would likely be activated Thursday.

The Braves got no more than five innings from any starter in the four games against Arizona and have Jorge Campillo heading to the mound Thursday vs. the Brewers with a blister on his index finger and his middle finger. After that, they have a weekend series in hitter-friendly Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati.

Kotsay said he's not concerned that this could turn into something long-term. He had played in 48 of the Braves' first 50 games before sitting out Monday and Tuesday.

"I knew going into the season that my back would keep me out of the lineup," Kotsay said. "All you hope for is it's not a prolonged thing. At this point, I don't feel it is."

Kotsay missed back-to-back starts in late April, but that was because he slept funny on his neck, and he pinch hit the next night against the Mets.

Gregor Blanco started in center field Tuesday. Blanco was hitting .299, with a .417 on-base percentage. Cox can also use utility man Omar Infante in center.

"We're covered, but Kots has really been playing great," Cox said. Kotsay is hitting .325 (39-for-120) with three homers and 18 RBIs in his past 33 games. The Braves are facing six consecutive right-handed pitchers on this trip, too. The left-handed hitting Kotsay is batting .343 vs. right-handers.