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.