The Braves' John Smoltz threw a scoreless eighth inning Saturday night for Class A Rome, striking out one, and could be activated as soon as Monday.

Mike Gonzalez made his second appearance in his minor league rehabilitation assignment at AA Mississippi. He gave up two hits in two scoreless innings after throwing one scoreless inning Thursday. The Braves would like to give Gonzalez a couple of weeks to work his way back.

"He just needs to get back competitive," Atlanta manager Bobby Cox said.

Mike Hampton threw again from flat ground Friday, this time three sets of 25 from 120 feet. He said the pectoral muscle has not bothered him. Hampton will throw from 150 feet in the next day or so and hopes to get back on the mound sometime during the next homestand.