Mark Kotsay knows now that he should have taken a game or two off when his surgically repaired back got a bit sore last month.

But the Braves center fielder played through the discomfort, and now he's 10 days into a stint on the disabled list, walking gingerly because of a bulging disk pressing against a nerve in his lower back. His sciatic nerve is inflamed, and the 32-year-old veteran has pain running down one leg.

"It's obviously discouraging to not be able to play," said Kotsay, who is eligible to come off the DL on Monday, but won't be ready barring rapid improvement this weekend. "Kind of going down the same path I've been down.

"Everything was good so well, and I hit this bump in the road."

In his first season with the Braves, Kotsay had played exceptional defense and hit .325 with three homers and 18 RBIs in his past 33 games before informing manager Bobby Cox that he probably should sit out a game.

When he didn't improve after a few days, Kotsay was placed on the DL retroactive to May 26. He left the team on the road to return to Atlanta for an MRI, which revealed the bulging disk.

He said this problem is a different area of his back than he had surgery on in March 2007. Kotsay is getting treatment and stretching every day and hopes he'll turn the recovery corner soon.

"That's how the nervous system works — like you turn a key on and off," he said. "I'm hoping we'll get the key to turn [the sciatic nerve pain] off."

Gonzalez nearing return

Left-hander Mike Gonzalez worked out with the Braves on Friday and could rejoin them for real within a week, after two or three rehab appearances for Class AAA Richmond.

Gonzalez just passed the anniversary of his elbow-ligament replacement surgery. He raised his fastball velocity to the 91-94 mph range at Class AA Mississippi last week, a few ticks off his pre-injury speed.

He just needs to sharpen his slider, his strikeout pitch, which he said he threw effectively about six out of 10 attempts in his most recent rehab appearances. Gonalez wants to get to about eight out of 10.

He said being patient this long has been the hardest thing he ever had to do, and he can hardly wait to get back on the mound for the big-league club.

"But it's only a week more," he said. "I'm ready. The elbow feels great. I'm strong. The velocity is more than enough to get guys out at this [major league] level."

The former Pittsburgh Pirates closer could return as a setup man and potential closer option as the Braves try to monitor Rafael Soriano's use to keep his elbow healthy.

Top draft pick takes it all in

Top Braves draft pick Brett DeVall got a tour of Turner Field along with the team's third pick, right-hander Zeke Spruill of Kell High School in Cobb County.

"This is definitely fun," said DeVall, a 6-foot-4 left-hander from Niceville (Fla.) High School, taken with the 40th overall selection.

It was a whirlwind 24-hour stretch for DeVall, who was selected by the Braves on Thursday afternoon, attended his graduation Thursday night, and stood behind the batting cage at Turner Field on Friday when Chipper Jones came up and introduced himself.

DeVall called the clubhouse tour "pretty sweet. Seeing all the players in there, and then walking by the players lounge and seeing Smoltz and somebody else playing chess or backgammon. ..."

He signed with the University of Georgia in November, but DeVall reiterated Friday that he intends to sign with the Braves and pass on college baseball.

"We'll try to get [signing] done as soon as possible," he said.

Norton injury not serious

An MRI of Greg Norton's left knee showed no significant damage, and the outfielder/first baseman could play in a day or two, Cox said.

He had been playing regularly in left field with Matt Diaz (knee) on the DL. Norton was scratched Thursday with a "twisted knee."

Omar Infante started in left field Friday against Phillies lefty Jamie Moyer, after rookie Josh Anderson played Thursday and was 1-for-3 with a walk and his first major-league triple.

Resop to Richmond

Reliever Chris Resop cleared waivers and was outrighted to Richmond. He was designated for assignment May 26 and no team claimed the right-hander, who had a 5.89 ERA in 16 appearances.