ATLANTA -- Atlanta Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur was sent to the minors to work on his hitting late last week. After going (7-for-13) in three games for the Mississippi Braves, the major league club believes he's ready to return.

Francoeur was recalled today and will join the Atlanta Braves tonight in Los Angeles.

Francoeur was optioned to AA Mississippi late Thursday.

Francoeur was batting .234 with eight homers and 41 RBIs for Atlanta before being sent to AA Mississippi. He hit only .206 in June and was 1 for 12 in three games for Atlanta in July.

The original plan was for Francoeur to spend at least 10 days in Mississippi. The outfielder had hoped to return to the big-league club after the All-Star break. That plan changed after Sunday's 17-inning affair. Three players were placed on the disabled list following the game. A player that is optioned to the minors isn't allowed to return to the majors for at least 10 days unless replacing an injured player. Those injuries Sunday allowed the team to recall Francoeur.

Braves manager Bobby Cox had moved Francoeur, who was expected to join Chipper Jones, Mark Teixeira and Brian McCann in the middle of the lineup, down to seventh in the batting order. He hit .293 with 19 homers and drove in 105 runs last season.

Francoeur grew up in Gwinnett County and played both baseball and football at Parkview High School.