ATLANTA, June 12 (UPI) -- Atlanta Braves reliever Ramon Colon, who had struggled, was sent back to the minor leagues on Sunday.
The 25-year-old right-hander, who has a 97 mph fastball, had allowed six homers and had an 8.50 ERA in 18 innings, after posting a 3.32 ERA in 18 late-season appearances in 2004. He surrendered a game-winning two-run homer to Eric Chavez in Friday night's 6-4 loss to Oakland after not giving up a round-tripper last season.
Manager Bobby Cox said Colon just needs some work.
"He's throwing the ball harder this year," Cox said on the Braves' Web site. "He's throwing 96 or 97 (mph) all of the time. Even when he's throwing 94, it looks like 97 to me. He's going to be good."
Colon was demoted to Double-A Mississippi, where he will start on Tuesday.
