ATLANTA -- Recognizing that he would be embarrassed in his native land and protecting their future interests in bringing other Japanese players to Atlanta, the Braves had previously not aggressively attempted to persuade Kawakami to accept a Minor League assignment. But when Kris Medlen partially tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow Wednesday night, they were forced to ask Kawakami to join their Triple-A Gwinnett roster and spend at least the next three weeks regaining the endurance he's lost while primarily remaining idle over the past six weeks. "We explained this is not about being demoted because of performance," Braves general manager Frank Wren said. "This is about, 'We need you to go back down to get stretched out.'" Kawakami has completed one inning in the lone appearance he's made since being removed from the rotation after his victorious June 26 outing against the Tigers. Instead of continuing to simply occupy a spot in the bullpen, the 34-year-old right-hander accepted the opportunity to make the preparations necessary in the event that the Braves need him to rejoin their rotation later this season. "Given the situation, I need to do my best with the opportunity to pitch in the Minor Leagues, and come up here to help the team as soon as possible," Kawakami said through his interpreter. Kawakami, who is still owed a little more than $8 million before his contract expires at the end of 2011, knows that he will make at least four starts with Gwinnett. His starts will run parallel with those made by highly regarded prospect Mike Minor, who will fill Medlen's rotation spot. If Minor struggles or another starter is injured, the Braves could put Kawakami back in their rotation. The Japanese hurler has gone 8-21 with a 4.37 ERA in the 48 appearances (40 starts) he has made since making his Major League debut with the Braves last year. "With the team in this kind of situation, I just have to abide by what they have planned and then help the team later on," Kawakami said. http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100805&content_id=13074522 川上宪伸被指派到小联盟 --

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