NEW YORK -- If everything goes as Braves manager Bobby Cox envisions, Julio Franco will be on his postseason roster if Atlanta makes the playoffs. But first, the ageless wonder is going to likely spend the remainder of this month competing against kids, many of whom are almost 30 years younger than him.

When the Braves designated Franco for assignment last week, they were hoping that he'd pass through waivers and accept their invitation to spend most of this month in the Minor League system. The veteran first baseman, who will celebrate his 49th birthday Aug. 23, did so Monday and is expected to begin the assignment later this week at Class A Rome, Ga., which is located about an hour north of Atlanta.

"He'll do a little bit of everything," Cox said. "We want him to stay in shape."

The plan is for Franco to play as many home games as he wants for Rome and the club's advanced Class A team in Myrtle Beach. Cox doesn't see any need for the veteran to make any long road trips or experience some of the early morning flights he would have been subjected to at the Triple-A level.

"If he just plays three or four times every eight days, it's plenty for me," Cox said of Franco, who most recent experience at the Class A level came in 1980 with the Peninsula Pilots.

None of the players on Rome's current roster were born before 1983.

When the Braves signed Franco on July 17, they believed the .200 batting average he'd compiled for the Mets was primarily a product of the fact that he was given 50 at-bats in a span of 3 1/2 months. While hitting .250 in the 41 at-bats he received in two weeks with Atlanta, he provided some validity to this belief.

While watching Franco collect 11 hits in his last 24 at-bats before being designated by the Braves, Cox gained further confidence that Franco would be an asset off the bench in September and possibly the postseason.

"He deserves it," Cox said. "He hit the ball like crazy for us."

With Mark Teixeira in place, Franco will see limited time at first base. But if Franco would continue to impress in September, he'd likely be viewed as a better October asset than Scott Thorman.

Prado promoted: When Edgar Renteria was placed on the 15-day disabled list last week, the Braves needed help for a fatigued bullpen and thus spent this past weekend with eight relievers on their 25-man roster.

With order having been restored, they've opted Tuesday to recall utility infielder Martin Prado from Triple-A Richmond and send right-handed reliever Joey Devine back to Richmond. In 93 games with the R-Braves, Prado hit .320 with 20 doubles, four homers and 38 RBIs.

"The guy has hit everywhere he's been in the Minors," Cox said. "He'll be a good bat off the bench right now."

Along with being a bench asset, Prado's reliable glove could also prove beneficial at third base and both of the middle-infield positions.

Renteria, who turned 32 on Tuesday, was still having trouble putting any pressure on his sprained right ankle when the Braves left town Monday. There's a certain chance the veteran shortstop won't return until the final week of this month.

Moylan relieved: Before telling Devine that he was heading back to Richmond late Tuesday afternoon, the Braves wanted Peter Moylan to test his recently ailing back with a bullpen session. Fortunately, the Australian right-hander didn't experience any problems and was available to pitch in Tuesday's series opener against the Mets.

"It feels good and I'm ready to go," said Moylan, who leads all Major League rookies (minimum 55 innings pitched) with a 1.95 ERA and .200 opponents' batting average.

Moylan began to experience some back spasms two weeks ago in San Francisco. He didn't pitch during this past weekend's series against the Rockies.

Braves bits: As expected, Andruw Jones returned to Tuesday's lineup. He received a cortisone shot in his left elbow late Friday night and was out of the lineup on Saturday and Sunday. ... Right-handed reliever Tyler Yates celebrated his 30th birthday Tuesday.

Coming up: The Braves will continue their three-game series against the Mets on Wednesday night at 7:10 p.m. ET. They'll send John Smoltz (10-6, 3.04 ERA) to the mound to face Orlando Hernandez (7-4, 3.00 ERA).