With discomfort in shoulder, S. Simmons given rest

PITTSBURGH -- When this week began, the Braves thought Shae Simmons might be just a few days away from rejoining Atlanta's bullpen. But they are now simply hoping Simmons eventually overcomes the right shoulder ailment that has forced him to be shut down again.

Instead of making his third scheduled rehab start for Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday, Simmons was experiencing the rest that was prescribed when he informed members of the Braves' medical staff that he was once again feeling some discomfort in the back of his right shoulder.

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said Simmons will likely be examined by one of the team's doctors within the next couple days.

Simmons has been sidelined with a right shoulder strain since July 24. The ailment did not seem to plague him as he needed just 10 pitches to complete a perfect inning in his first rehab appearance on Saturday. But when he took the mound again on Monday for Gwinnett, he allowed four runs and totaled 24 pitches without recording an out.

"He came in today sore from the other night, so they shut him down," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said on Wednesday. "We'll let that thing calm down a little bit and then we'll see where he's at."