Sep 21, 2006 10:31 PM EST

One day after giving closer Bob Wickman a one-year contract extension, John Schuerholz announced that the club has exercised the $8 million option that guarantees John Smoltz's return to Atlanta.

Schuerholz informed Smoltz of the decision on Wednesday and then formally completed the transaction on Thursday.

"John has been a constant for this organization, both with his pitching and leadership, and our plan to exercise this contract option for next season was never in question," Schuerholz said through a release.

Via MLB.com