Closer candidates Rafael Soriano and John Smoltz are both working through rehab assignments in efforts to return to the Atlanta Braves bullpen. Smoltz (shoulder) and Soriano (elbow) are neck and neck in the race to come back, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that both will have tests to pass on Tuesday before doing so.

Smoltz will make another rehab appearance for Class-A Rome, according to the AJC, and Soriano will throw a bullpen session. If both are setback-free, they could join the Braves in Milwaukee, where they kick off a seven-game road trip on Tuesday.

What does all this mean? Well, likely an anticlimatic return to health for Soriano, who began the year as Atlanta’s closer. Smoltz will be returning to that role, which will relegate Soriano to eighth-inning duties. The only way he gets save opportunities are nights when Smoltz is unavailable or in the event that Smoltz runs into more trouble with his stiff right shoulder.

Left-hander Mike Gonzalez is also working his way back to the health from 2006 Tommy John surgery. It is conceivable that Gonzalez returns healthy and jumps Soriano in the pecking order for saves.

Lots of unknowns at this point, but the bottom line is this: Smoltz loses a tiny bit of value going from starter to reliever, though he could be dominant (and healthy) in his new role; Soriano could end up being one of 2008’s most frustrating draft choices, occupying a DL spot for 6 weeks before returning as a middle reliever; and Gonzalez’s progress should be monitored in the event that Soriano and/or Smoltz are injured again.

Dustin Hockensmith is editor of ImaginaryDiamond.com. He can be contacted at dhockensmith[at]fantasysports101.net.