Rocky Return For Braves Closer
But pitcher returns in upbeat mood
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
By Thomas Stinson
Pittsburgh -- John Rocker showed his face in the Atlanta clubhouse Wednesday and it was smiling.
Though the embattled closer failed to retire a hitter in a short eighth-inning appearance later in the evening, he rejoined the team sounding like a man transformed.
"Those three weeks, my location kind of left me a little bit but I found the glitch and I'm ready to go again," Rocker said after flying in from Richmond. ''I'm ready to win some juegos [games] for us, build our lead up a little bit."
It was a marked transformation for the club's closer, who last week balked at accepting a minor league demotion, cracked he might turn to stock brokering and then begrudgingly reported to Class AAA Richmond.
But in a brief session with reporters before Wednesday game -- no TV cameras allowed -- Rocker was more upbeat and responsive than at any time since returning from his 10-game suspension at the beginning of the season.
"I worked on getting my weight back and getting a little more weight shift in my delivery," he said. "The balls are down."
Until reliever Rudy Seanez injured his elbow Tuesday night, the Braves had no plans to recall Rocker. He wound up being able to rejoin the team one day earlier than the minimum 10-day assignment because he was replacing an injured player.
"He's really happy," said manager Bobby Cox, who met privately with his pitcher beforehand. "He's got his stuff back, threw strikes, really dominated."
The clubhouse was reserved for his arrival, some players declining to comment on Rocker's return. The Braves were granted permission from Major League Baseball to keep their clubhouse closed an extra hour before the game.
"Well," catcher Javy Lopez said, "you can't ask for a better replacement for Rudy."
"It's nice to get him back," pitcher Mike Remlinger said.
Cox huddled with pitching coach Leo Mazzone and sports psychologist Jack Llewellyn for 20 minutes before speaking with reporters.
In all, he pitched three innings, gave up three hits and one run while walking one and striking out six while in Richmond.
Coming on the heels of Seanez's season-ending injury, Rocker's return becomes critical to the efficiency of the bullpen.
"I know the guys in the pen have been getting their butts worked off," Rocker said.
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