Reliever will give right arm a short rest

ATLANTA - An MRI exam failed to show any serious damage to reliever Blane Boyer's pitching arm, the Atlanta Braves announced Tuesday.

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Boyer left Monday's game after feeling pain in his right arm while warming up between the sixth and seventh innings of Atlanta's 6-5 loss to Colorado. The injury is puzzling - Boyer said after the game he felt better in pitching to four hitters in the sixth inning than he had all year.

"It's a weird thing," manager Bobby Cox said. "He grabbed his biceps when it happened. Now it's up higher, in his shoulder."

Boyer struggled with a sore arm earlier this season but has looked strong the past month. He hasn't allowed a run in six of his past eight appearances, earning two wins and a hold.

Cox said he would rest Boyer for the next few days, possibly for the remainder of the regular season, which ends Sunday.

Boyer indicated the injury was a minor one following Monday's game.

"We were just being cautious," Boyer said. "It was better to come out. Hopefully, I'll be back out there soon."

The Braves' bullpen needs Boyer. He's their most reliable middle reliever and has also been effective in the set-up role, spelling Chris Reitsma. Reitsma has struggled with a hyperextended knee for the past month.

FURCAL ON FIRE: Lead-off hitter Rafael Furcal continues to put the Braves in position to score runs. His two hits Monday gives him 94 in the past 70 games. His on-base percentage tops .400 over that span.

"If he doesn't have two hits, he's hitting it hard twice right at somebody," Cox said.

Furcal's batting average is up to .284. His single-season best is .295 as a rookie in 2000.

The shortstop, who becomes a free agent after this season, has hit safely in 65 of his past 81 games and has a career-best 45 stolen bases.

DEVINE ADDED: Rookie right-hander Joey Devine officially joined Atlanta's 40-man roster Tuesday. Devine has been with the Braves since his call up from Triple-A Richmond in mid-August but has been rehabbing a hip injury.

He hurt his hip flexor in his second career appearance on Aug. 23 against Cincinnati.

ON DECK: Rookie right-hander Kyle Davies (7-4) makes his first start in nearly two months today against Colorado left-hander Jeff Francis (13-12).

Davies last started against Cincinnati on Aug. 4.

He earned the victory, allowed three runs in 5w innings.

The 7:05 p.m. game is the final regular-season game at Turner Field this season.

Reach Adam Van Brimmer at (404) 589-8424 or adam.vanbrimmer@morris.com.