Rafael Soriano continues to be hampered by right elbow problems that have bothered him since early on in spring training.

The Braves announced after Sunday's game they were disabling Soriano for the third time this season with elbow inflammation.

They recalled left-hander Francisley Bueno from AAA Richmond, where he was 2-5 with a 5.02 ERA in 17 games, including 12 starts.

Soriano complained of elbow discomfort after his outing on Saturday night against the Brewers in which he went one inning, gave up a walk and his first home run of the season — a two-run shot by Prince Fielder.

Soriano had been activated from the DL on July 21 but could hang in for only two weeks this time. He pitched five times in that span, allowing three hits, two walks and three runs in five innings. He has missed all but about four weeks of action this season.

Soriano, who signed a two-year contract worth $9 million in January, has pitched in only 14 games this season, going 0-1 with a 2.57 ERA and three saves in 14 innings, with nine walks and 16 strikeouts.

Repeated examinations and MRIs have revealed no structural damage on his elbow. Soriano had ligament-transplant surgery in August, 2004. Soriano will stay behind for further evaluation while the Braves travel to San Francisco.

McCann to return

Brian McCann is set to return for Monday night's game in San Francisco after missing a week with a mild concussion.

McCann was injured in a helmet-to-helmet home plate collision with the Phillies' Shane Victorino on July 27. McCann was cleared to pinch hit over the weekend but was not called upon.

McCann said he has felt good since his headaches subsided a day or two after the collision. The Braves medical staff has tested him the last three days for lingering effects of the concussion and he's passed three times.

"You take a test in spring training when you're feeling good," said McCann, who is tested by comparison. "This gives you a gauge on how you feel when you take it. [It's] reaction time, remembering things, stuff like that."

Diaz update

A recent MRI revealed that Matt Diaz's left posterior cruciate ligament had healed properly in six weeks of rest but he'd suffered another injury while on a rehabilitation assignment in Class AA Mississippi. He slid into base awkwardly with a knee brace on and suffered a nerve injury below his knee, which left his left ankle weak.

"I was told I'd be out six weeks with the knee injury, now this is dragging out toward 10 weeks," Diaz said. "I know it's a new injury, but I didn't count on that, and it's mentally draining."

After taking five days, Diaz said his ankle is strong again. He ran at 100 percent and slid on Saturday. He'll travel to San Francisco with the team and hopes to leave on another rehab assignment this weekend.

Health watch

Tim Hudson will undergo elbow ligament-transplant surgery Friday in Pensacola, Fla. Dr. James Andrews, who is based in Birmingham but has a satellite facility there, will perform the surgery. Normal recovery time from "Tommy John" surgery is 12-16 months.

Tom Glavine is headed on a minor-league rehabilitation assignment to see if the partially torn flexor tendon in his elbow has strengthened enough to let him return without surgery. He'll pitch Monday for Class A Myrtle Beach, and if all goes well, for AA Mississippi on Saturday.

Etc.

The Braves signed fifth- round draft pick Jacob Thompson, the 6-foot-6 right-hander from the University of Virginia. They have signed 10 of their top 12 draft picks. The deadline to sign this year's picks is Aug. 15.