SAN FRANCISCO -- The Braves have promoted right-handed reliever Cory Gearrin from Triple-A Gwinnett to strengthen their fatigued and injury-depleted bullpen. Outfielder Matt Young was optioned to Gwinnett to open a spot on the 25-man roster for Gearrin.

Gearrin will help account for the absence of fellow sidearmer Peter Moylan, who was placed on the disabled list last week. The Braves have also spent the past couple days without Jonny Venters, who has been bothered by left bicep discomfort since making a 27-pitch appearance against the Dodgers on Tuesday night.

It was apparent the Braves would need to add another reliever after they were forced to utilize Cristhian Martinez for a third consecutive day during Thursday's 5-3, 12-inning loss to the Dodgers.

Gearrin has posted a 2.61 ERA and worked 10 1/3 innings in six appearances for Gwinnett this year. He has limited left-handed hitters to a .167 (2-for-12) batting average. Right-handed hitters have hit .320 (8-for-25) against him. The 25-year-old right-hander was selected out of Mercer University in the fourth round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft.

The Braves seem optimistic regarding Venters' condition. But the valuable left-handed reliever wasn't available to throw in Thursday's 12-inning loss and it's unknown whether he will be cleared to pitch during the weekend series against the Giants.