MLB Team Report – Atlanta Braves – INSIDE PITCH
Barring anything unexpected, right-hander Tim Hudson should be back in the rotation this weekend when the Braves host the Pirates.
The plan since spring training has been that rookie right-hander Randall Delgado would be optioned to Class AAA Gwinnett when that happens. But because right-hander Jair Jurrjens has been pedestrian at best — 0-1 with an 8.10 ERA in his first three starts, comprising 13 1/3 innings — fans have been clamoring for Jurrjens to be sent down when Hudson is activated rather than Delgado.
Jurrjens, 26, is not out of minor league options, but he’s not likely to be sent down. That said, Monday’s five-earned-run, nine-hit effort in only three-plus innings in the 7-2 loss to the Dodgers isn’t going to give him or anyone else more confidence in him.
Delgado is a young pitcher in more areas than his age: 22. He has been consistent only in pitching no more than five innings in an outing. He plunked two Diamondbacks in Sunday’s loss, a 5 1/3-inning appearance. He walked four, including opposing pitcher Ian Kennedy to load the bases and gave up a grand slam. This rally started after two outs with nobody on. He did get his first major league hit, though, a single off Kennedy.
Delgado has the pitches and the presence and will be in the rotation. But Jurrjens was an All-Star last year before his right knee gave way.
Because of the knee injury, Jurrjens is wearing a custom brace when he pitches. That takes some getting used to, and he still has to learn to trust that the knee is solid. And he has to relearn his mechanics after trying to compensate last season. Only late in November was it discovered that his right big toe joint is shorter than normal, which caused his ankle to turn out and put stress on his knee. That also made his hip weak. The pain this caused was gone within two weeks after adding a custom pad in his right shoe.
Given his track record, then, Jurrjens has to get the benefit of the doubt — and the spot in the rotation. This early in the season, at least. Frankly, though, as much trouble as Jurrjens has had locating his fastball, it does appear that he’s afraid to push off on that right leg.
“We’re not going to make any crazy decisions right now,” manager Fredi Gonzalez says.
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MLB Team Report – Atlanta Braves – NOTES, QUOTES
–C Brian McCann got Monday off even though 3B Chipper Jones was off, too. Manager Fredi Gonzalez doesn’t normally like to have both of them out of the lineup at the same time, but with 1B Freddie Freeman sizzling and RF Jason Heyward hitting as well, Gonzalez felt safe in doing it this time.
–C David Ross got the start at catcher in Brian McCann’s place and hit a home run. In three starts this season, Ross is 5-for-8 with two doubles, the homer and four RBI. He also turned a double play with a tag-out at home and first.
–SS Jack Wilson got his third consecutive start Monday, because he’s 10-for-27 against Dodgers LHP Chris Capuano. He was 0-for-4 Monday, however. Manager Fredi Gonzalez plans to start rookie SS Tyler Pastornicky in the next two games of the series.
–RHP Chad Durbin is getting more movement on his sinker, which is a clear benefit of working with pitching coach and sinker specialist Roger McDowell. After giving up a home run in each of his first three appearances, he’s allowed no runs in his latest four outings.
–CF Michael Bourn was hitting .463 (19-for-41) in the 10 games coming into the Dodgers series, including seven multi-hit games. He’d gotten on base via hit or walk in 16 of his last 22 plate appearances (since the third inning on April 18) until his first at-bat Monday. He was 1-4 on the night.
BY THE NUMBERS: .478 — 1B Freddie Freeman’s batting average (11-for-23) for the week of April 16-22, for which he was named National League Player of the Week.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “That’s the way it goes sometimes.” — Manager Fredi Gonzalez, after RHP Jair Jurrjens gives up five earned runs on 50 pitches in a three-inning outing Monday.
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MLB Team Report – Atlanta Braves – ROSTER REPORT
MEDICAL WATCH:
–3B Chipper Jones (swollen left knee) did not play April 19 but returned April 20.
–RHP Tim Hudson (back surgery in November 2011) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 3. He made rehab starts for Class A Rome on April 7 and April 12, then started for Class AAA Gwinnett on April 18. He’s due to make one more rehab start, and he could return to the big-league rotation in late April.
–RHP Arodys Vizcaino (Tommy John surgery in March 2012) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 26. He is expected to miss the season.
–RHP Anthony Varvaro (right pectoral strain) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 26.
–LHP Robert Fish (left elbow tendinitis) on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 26.
ROTATION:
RHP Tommy Hanson
RHP Jair Jurrjens
LHP Mike Minor
RHP Brandon Beachy
RHP Kris Medlen
BULLPEN:
RHP Craig Kimbrel (closer)
LHP Jonny Venters
LHP Eric O’Flaherty
RHP Kris Medlen
RHP Cristhian Martinez
RHP Chad Durbin
RHP Randall Delgado
CATCHERS:
Brian McCann
David Ross
INFIELDERS:
1B Freddie Freeman
2B Dan Uggla
SS Tyler Pastornicky
3B Chipper Jones
3B Martin Prado
INF Juan Francisco
INF Jack Wilson
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Matt Diaz
CF Michael Bourn
RF Jason Heyward
OF/INF Eric Hinske
