LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- When Kenshin Kawakami experienced some right shoulder fatigue after playing long toss Wednesday afternoon, the Braves decided to scratch him from Thursday night's scheduled start against the Tigers.

Both Atlanta and Kawakami provided every reason to believe this was simply a precautionary action that likely wouldn't have been taken if the regular season had already arrived.

"We want to be on the safe side," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "If we were in the season, he'd have started, easily."

While giving Kawakami a chance to rest his shoulder until he makes his next scheduled appearance Wednesday, Atlanta also provided Javier Vazquez the chance to start Thursday night's game on regular rest. Vazquez had last pitched Saturday, when he tossed five solid innings in Puerto Rico's 11-1 win over Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

When Kawakami reported to Disney's Wide World of Sports complex Thursday, he said his shoulder felt fine. Some strength tests performed by the Braves' medical staff showed that Kawakami had regained shoulder strength that wasn't present after he'd thrown long toss Wednesday.

"I'm not concerned at all," Kawakami said through his interpreter. "My shoulder wasn't right yesterday. But today it feels like it usually does."

Cox believes Kawakami might have simply thrown too much on Wednesday. Attempting to adjust to the throwing schedule he'll experience during his first season in the Majors, the Japanese hurler has significantly reduced the amount of throwing he does between starts.

Kawakami hasn't exactly been impressive in his past two outings, allowing seven runs and 13 hits in 8 2/3 innings. But the 33-year-old right-hander said that his arm felt fine until he experienced some fatigue Wednesday.

"He still wanted to pitch today," Cox said. "There's nothing wrong with missing a start down here."