CHICAGO -- Shortly after welcoming Emilio Bonifacio back to the Major League level on Sunday morning, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez was given the uncomfortable task of informing the veteran utility player that he must return to the Minor Leagues for at least a few days because of a rule that Atlanta's front office had overlooked.
In an effort to replenish their bench by reverting back to a 12-man pitching staff, the Braves announced they had purchased Bonifacio's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett and optioned right-handed reliever Chris Withrow to Gwinnett.
It seemed like a relatively mundane transaction until a Major League Baseball official informed the Braves that Bonifacio was not eligible to be added to Atlanta's roster because 30 days have not elapsed since the Braves had released him from the one-year, $1.