Kotchman leaves Braves to be with ailing mom

New York — Braves first baseman Casey Kotchman was placed on the major-league bereavement list Wednesday so he could be with his mother, who is hospitalized for an undisclosed medical condition in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Kotchman was notified of the sudden illness after Tuesday’s game in New York, and called manager Bobby Cox at 12:30 a.m. to let the manager know he was going to Florida to be at his mother’s side.

The Braves acquired Kotchman from the Los Angeles Angels in a July 29 trade for first baseman Mark Teixeira.

Players can spend a minimum of three days and a maximum of seven days on the bereavement list. They can be away from the team for that period without going on the 15-day disabled list, and the team is permitted to make a roster move to fill the spot.

The Braves recalled outfielder Brandon Jones from Class AAA Richmond. He arrived in New York in time to dress for Wednesday night’s game.

No surgery for Diaz

Matt Diaz will not require surgery for his reinjured right knee, but the outfielder will need to spend another four weeks rehabbing and strengthening the knee.

Diaz was examined by renowned orthopedist Dr. Richard Steadman in Vail, Colo. Steadman concurred with previous diagnoses by Braves team physicians and said surgery was not required.

Diaz has missed most of the season after partially tearing a knee ligament, then reinjuring the knee twice during minor-league rehab assignments.