Cunniff placed on DL with right groin injury

PITTSBURGH -- After spending the past couple weeks being cautious with how frequently they used Brandon Cunniff, the Braves opted to place the right-handed reliever on the disabled list on Friday with a strained right groin.

Sugar Ray Marimon was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to fill Cunniff's roster spot and serve as the bullpen's long reliever.

Along with needing to rest Cunniff, the Braves had a need to add a reliever who has the ability to work more than two innings. David Aardsma will be unavailable until at least Sunday because he threw three innings during Thursday's loss to the Nationals.

The Braves opted to make this transaction when they examined Cunniff after he surrendered an unearned run and two hits in one inning on Thursday. This was just the fourth appearance the rookie reliever made since his groin started bothering him during a June 11 appearance against the Padres.

Cunniff has produced a 4.23 ERA in the 30 appearances he has made dating back to his April 7 debut. Though he would be eligible to be activated on July 11, the Braves might opt to give him a chance to rest through the All-Star break, which begins two days later.

Marimon has surrendered 12 hits, issued four walks and allowed eight earned runs in the 8 1/3 innings he has compiled during his two previous stints with Atlanta this year. The Braves will likely only use him during lopsided games or in emergency situations.