Braves OF Mark Kotsay thought he had the game-winning hit during Wednesday's contest against the Nationals, but Atlanta blew a 2-1 lead in the 12th inning and lost 3-2. Kotsay put his team up in the top of the 12th with a RBI single to right. He was 3-for-5 in the game with his fourth double. Kostay has hit safely in five of the last six games (8-for-21). He has a RBI in three straight games.

Braves OF Mark Kotsay, bothered by shoulder soreness over the last week, returned to the starting lineup for the first time in three games Saturday at the Mets. He walked once in three at-bats.

Braves OF Mark Kotsay, out Thursday with shoulder soreness, also didn't start Friday at the Mets. He did make a pinch-hit appearance, though, and singled in one at-bat.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Mark Kotsay was held out of Thursday's game against Florida due to some minor soreness in his left trapezius muscle in his shoulder. Kotsay has had it for about a week, he said. Manager Bobby Cox replaced him in the lineup with Gregor Blanco, who was hitting .444 (8-for-18) entering Thursday's game.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Mark Kotsay was held out of Thursday's game against Florida due to some minor soreness in his left trapezius muscle in his shoulder. "I've just been battling some stiffness up in my left trap," said Kotsay, who said it tightened one night after he slept on his side. "It's one of those things where you try to get it to calm down, so it's not nagging."

Soreness keeps Kotsay out Thursday

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Mark Kotsay is hitting .342 (13-for-38) with five extra-base hits, four walks, four RBI a .405 OBP and .579 slugging percentage off right-handers this season. However, he is hitting just 5-for-32 (.156) with one extra-base hit, one RBI, a .229 OBP and .188 slugging percentage against lefties.

Braves OF Mark Kotsay took Monday against the Nationals off with left-hander Matt Chico on the mound. Gregor M. Blanco took his place in the lineup and the field, going 2-for-3 with a run scored.