Braves LHP Avilan better, hopes to avoid DL

Atlanta Braves reliever Luis Avilan is feeling better after being carted off the field the previous night because of severe pain in his left leg.

The left-hander went down while pitching in the ninth inning Tuesday against the Kansas City Royals. But, after being checked out Wednesday morning before the finale of a two-game series, it appears he just had a severe cramp.

Avilan says his leg ''is better now. It's way better now.'' He believes he'll be able to pitch again in a couple of days and hopes to avoid the 15-day disabled list.

The Braves already have two relievers on the DL: Jonny Venters and Cristhian Martinez.