Braves haven't decided on Floyd's role

ATLANTA -- Gavin Floyd wants to join the starting rotation when the Braves activate him from the disabled list on Sunday. However, the club has yet to decide whether the veteran right-hander will start or pitch in relief.

"We'll see how we use him in what role and that kind of stuff," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "I think we'll get a clearer picture by [Sunday]."

Floyd, who threw a side session on Thursday, would not oppose taking on a role in Atlanta's bullpen. The right-hander's activation from the disabled list comes three days before the one-year anniversary of his Tommy John surgery last May.

"I've been a starter all my career, so I don't know," Floyd said. "To have surgery, come back and feel the way I feel, I feel really good. If I had gone into surgery and expected me to be where I'm at now, and to demand anything, it's kind of one of those things that I just feel thankful to be able to pitch again."

Floyd, 31, has experience as a reliever, making 11 of his first 40 appearances in the Major Leagues out of the bullpen. However, he has made just one relief appearance in 159 games since 2008.

He also understands the difficulty the Braves face in disrupting their starting rotation. Mike Minor made his season debut on Friday for a unit that entered Friday leading the Majors with a 2.40 ERA.

But even if Floyd ends up taking a spot in the bullpen, his starting days will not be over. Atlanta could use the right-hander as spot starter to give other pitchers an extra day of rest or to account for any potential injuries.

"You've got to wait. There's guys that are pitching really well so far and they continue to do that, so it's kind of, 'What's going to happen? I don't know,'" Floyd said. "It's a decision that they have to make. I'm staying mentally ready for being a starter, but I don't know what's going to happen."