The team said Smoltz was removed as a precaution after feeling a tweak in his pitching shoulder while warming up for the inning and re-injuring his right, pinkie finger. He was replaced by Oscar Villarreal.

Smoltz dislocated the pinkie on May 14 while making a tag against Washington's Austin Kearns, but had been brilliant in the two starts since — going 2-0 in 14 scoreless innings.

In the top of the fourth, Smoltz, who had won five of his previous six starts by pitching seven innings in each, easily ran out a chopper that bounced off first baseman Prince Fielder's glove for a single. He broke his bat on the play and shook his hand gingerly, looking at his fingers at first for a few minutes afterward.

Smoltz hadn't been sharp before exiting today's game, but was still effective. He threw 40 of his 58 pitches for strikes, but gave up eight hits and three runs.

The Braves' starting rotation hasn't been healthy since spring training. Mike Hampton tore a flexor tendon in his left elbow in March and Lance Cormier (strained triceps) still hasn't made an appearance this season, but is expected to start next Tuesday.