Bob Wickman returned to Atlanta Thursday to undergo an MRI on his sore forearm.
That explains why Oscar Villarreal got the call in a one-run game Thursday afternoon.
Wickman indicated that he's had soreness for the past two weeks, but is hopeful that it's nothing serious.
While Villarreal got the save Thursday, Octavio Dotel or perhaps Rafael Soriano would be the odds-on favorite for ninth-inning duties if Wickman misses extended time.
Wickman has coverted 18 of 23 save opportunities this season with an 3.89 era in 39.1 innings pitched.
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