Los Angeles — For Jeff Francoeur, it took four days to get back to the majors. For Vladimir Nunez, it took four years.

The Braves purchased the contract of the Cuban right-hander and infielder Brent Lillibridge from Class AAA Richmond on Monday, the same day they recalled Francoeur from Class AA Mississippi.

They made the flurry of moves to replace three who went on the disabled list after Sunday's 17-inning win against Houston: infielder Omar Infante and relievers Manny Acosta and Jeff Bennett.

Infante and Acosta each strained a hamstring Sunday, and Bennett has a recurring problem with his throwing shoulder popping out of place. It happened again on a throw Saturday after he fielded a ball.

The Braves could make another pitching move Tuesday, with outfielder Jason Perry a candidate to be bumped from the 25-man roster to create a spot. Perry has been up from Richmond for four games.

For Nunez, a 33-year-old father of three, it has been two years since he had elbow surgery for bone spurs and four years since he last pitched in the major leagues for Colorado.

"It's been a long time," Nunez said Monday, smiling as he changed into his Braves uniform in the visitor's clubhouse at Dodger Stadium. "I'm very happy — I feel like a rookie."

The 6-foot-4, 240-pound right-hander was chatting with Cuban countryman Yunel Escobar when Mark Kotsay gave the big man a bear hug. Kotsay and Nunez were Florida teammates in 1999, when Nunez made 12 starts for the Marlins after being traded from Arizona.

In 2002, Nunez made 77 appearances and saved 20 games for the Marlins. He appeared in only 36 games for Florida and Colorado during 2003-2004, and has been trying to get back to the majors since.

"I've been having a great year," said Nunez, who had a 3.08 ERA in 34 games for Richmond, with 53 strikeouts and one homer allowed in 52-2/3 innings. "I got in a good rhythm down there. It's been a while since I felt this good, since 2005. It's taken time to get back after surgery."

Top pick DeVall signs

Brett DeVall said all along he intended to pass on a University of Georgia scholarship and sign with the Braves, and the hard-throwing left-hander followed through Monday.

The 6-foot-4 pitcher from Niceville (Fla.) High School signed with the Braves on Monday. He was their top pick and the 40th overall selection in the amateur draft in June.

The Braves didn't have a first-round pick after forfeiting that selection as compensation for signing free agent Tom Glavine from the Mets last winter.

As a high school senior, DeVall went 13-2 and recorded 152 strikeouts with 25 walks.

The Braves also signed second-round pick Tyler Stovall, another high school left-hander from Alabama. They have signed 21 of their draft picks, including 11 pitchers.