Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Hampton was activated from the 15-day disabled list on Sunday. The left-hander is expected to work from the bullpen. Hampton had been out since August 20 with an ailing back and underwent an MRI last month that revealed a herniated disc. He received an epidural injection for his back, but was advised not to do anything except rest. The southpaw has been on the DL four times this season and has also been bothered by stiffness in his left forearm. Hampton has pitched a total of just 10 1/3 innings since the start of June. The 32-year-old first hurt his back while getting out of a whirlpool at San Francisco's SBC Park on July 19 and aggravated the injury in an August 19 start versus San Diego. In that last start against the Padres, Hampton was roughed up for seven runs and 11 hits in just 3 1/3 innings. Hampton, who is 5-3 on the season with a 3.50 ERA in 12 starts, hasn't pitched out of the bullpen since his rookie season in 1994 with the Houston Astros.