Braves cut closer Wickman one day after he gives up walk-off

ST. LOUIS -- The Atlanta Braves cut ties with struggling closer Bob Wickman on Friday, designating him for assignment.

The move came a day after Wickman surrendered a game-winning two-run home run to the Reds' Adam Dunn. Wickman is 3-3 with a 3.92 ERA and 20 saves in 26 chances.

Manager Bobby Cox did not reveal his new closer, which could be one of several pitchers. He said Rafael Soriano would probably serve in the ninth-inning role on Friday but that "anybody out there would be a possibility."

"We just want to go a different way," Cox said before the Braves, who had lost three in a row, began a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals. He said Wickman had "not lately" pitched to expectations.

The Braves also recalled right-handers Jose Ascanio from Double-A Mississippi and Joey Devine from Triple-A Richmond. Infielder Martin Prado was optioned to Richmond.

Wickman, 38, saved his 20th game on Aug. 15 against the Giants, a night after blowing his sixth save. He has eight career 20-save seasons, including three in a row.

Six blown saves from Bob Wickman were more than the Braves could handle. (AP)

Wickman was 38-for-45 in save opportunities with a 2.88 ERA since joining the Braves on July 23, 2006. Cox said Wickman made the trip with the team from Cincinnati before the Braves made the move.

Soriano was 5-for-8 in save chances while holding opponents to a .203 average, but was 0-2 with three blown saves and a 5.21 ERA in 29 games since June 15.

Octavio Dotel, who was 11-for-14 in save situations at Kansas City before being acquired on the trade deadline, has been on the 15-day disabled list since Aug. 8 with a right shoulder strain. Dotel threw a side session on Friday but is apparently not close to being activated.

Another option is Manny Acosta, who totaled 21 saves at the Double-A and Triple-A level.

Ascanio has pitched in five games with Atlanta and was 0-1 with a 1.29 ERA. Devine has no record and a 2.25 ERA in four innings with the Braves.

Prado was hitting .295 with one RBI and three doubles in 44 at-bats over three stints with the team. His most recent stay lasted one day, after shortstop Edgar Renteria returned to the DL with an ankle injury.