Braves Make Five Roster Moves

by gondeee on May 15, 2010 4:58 PM EDT

As expected the Atlanta Braves activated shortstop Yunel Escobar from the 15-day disabled list. Unexpectedly they placed Matt Diaz on the 15-day disabled list with a right thumb infection. Brandon Hicks was optioned to triple-A Gwinnett and outfielder Brent Clevlen was recalled from triple-A. To make room on the 40-man roster for Clevlen, shortstop Diory Hernandez was moved to the 60-day disabled list.

Clevlen had three cups of coffee with Detroit from 2006 to 2009. He never really hit too well in limited playing time. He was hitting a paltry .259/.385/.376 at Gwinnett, so he's likely just a late inning backup. This will mean a little more playing time for Melky Cabrera, but it might mean that Eric Hinske could get more of a full time role.

Shame about Diaz. He always seems to have these weird injuries at inopportune times -- like when he's trying to earn a full time role. Admittedly he looked awful in his only at-bat last night, and has looked pretty lost at the plate all season. He is scheduled for surgery on Wednesday to remove a foreign body from his thumb, which may be a splinter. His recovery time could be longer than 15 days.

In minor league news left handed starter Jose Ortegano was promoted from high-A to triple-A, and right hander Ryne Reynoso was sent the other way from triple-A to double-A. Reynoso was 0-and-5 with a 5.09 ERA and a 1.84 WHIP with Gwinnett. Ortegano wasn't much better at Myrtle Beach, posting a 5.14 ERA and a 1.71 WHIP to go with a 2-and-4 record, though most of those runs came early in the season. Ryne was mentioned in USA Today the other day.

Also, in case you missed my tweet, infielder J.C. Holt was released from the G-Braves roster yesterday.

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Comments

I for one am so glad that Esco’s back. Do you think he starts tonight?

by Zeus12888 on May 15, 2010 5:03 PM EDT reply actions

Yes

He’s in the lineup and hitting 7th, according to a post from mvhsbball in another thread.

"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson

by Jacob Peterson on May 15, 2010 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks Pac!

by Zeus12888 on May 15, 2010 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions

diaz

according to bobby, diaz will be out for weeks, which means he’ll be out about as long as JJ.

by atl192485 on May 15, 2010 5:08 PM EDT reply actions

But unlike JJ I’m beginning to wonder if Diaz will have a job w/the Braves after he comes off the DL. Don’t get me wrong. I’m a Diaz supporter & hope to see him stay in a Braves uni but with his hot/cold play of late I’m beginning to feel like he will possibly be some sort of trade bait @ mid-season.

by adc62 on May 15, 2010 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions

i don’t disagree that diaz could be trade bait. however, when diaz is healthy and returns, and if he is not traded, a lot of things would have to happen for him not to have playing time as the righty vs. LHP platoon role he has right now.

by atl192485 on May 15, 2010 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I think Matt Diaz

needs to be underestimated. The two times he’s come into the year with a chance at a full-time role, he’s been terrible. Every other season, he’s been fantastic. Still, I feel bad for him—that does not sound like a fun injury. Hopefully when Matty comes back he’ll be his usual self.

I don’t think Clevlen will be any good, but he can’t really be worse than Diaz has been, so it shouldn’t hurt the team too much.

Oh, and welcome back to Yunel! Based on Dave D’s pictures from last night, he looks like he’s in good form.

"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson

by Jacob Peterson on May 15, 2010 5:08 PM EDT reply actions

I really hope Hinske does become the starter in LF. He’s played pretty well when he’s been in there. Plus, he has awesome tattoos.

Jason Heyward is so good, he makes David Wright piss in Ryan Howard’s pants

by heap16 on May 15, 2010 5:26 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Hopefully, with Esco back, Infante is the platoon in LF rather than Melky.

Does the tone about the seriousness of the injury (I.e. “Splinter”) imply that Diaz is getting some paid time off instead of actually being disabled?

by CharlotteChop on May 15, 2010 5:36 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Surgery on Wed.

makes me think it is a legit injury.

by HEYJUDE on May 15, 2010 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions

If it's infected, they need to get it fixed.

Advance apologies if the contents of this sports-based post offended you. I'm just aiming to educate the masses. My law professor says they're asses.

Panthers '010: Save the Richardson family coffers! We'll take the winning if we stumble into it.

by MichaelProcton on May 19, 2010 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Hinske for LF.

by Jose Rodriguez on May 15, 2010 5:38 PM EDT reply actions

Mitch Jones

How is he doing in Gwinett? I thought he might get a call up at some point this year.

by Shoert on May 15, 2010 6:05 PM EDT reply actions

Crushing

by ShawnG on May 15, 2010 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions

surprised they went with Clevlen instead of him...

and weird with Ortegano. I guess working on a new pitch if he wasn’t injured. Strange.

by Mr. Sanchez on May 15, 2010 11:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Clevlen is a better outfielder, which is I guess what they want. I agree, I’d take the bat that Jones has over Clevlen.

And I guess I got good info on Ortegano moving up to AAA soon. You heard it on TC first…

I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
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by cbwilk on May 16, 2010 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions

that we did, gotta give you credit on that call...

and I’d guess with Hinske getting more time, Clevlen is a defensive guy. But then, wouldn’t Melky fill that role so why the need for another? You’d think that mean Diaz gets replaced by someone who could fill the pinch hit role Hinske and Diaz were used for, and I’d have assumed someone other than Clevlan, maybe Canizares or Jones. It seems like Clevlen is just a backup to the backup (Melky).

by Mr. Sanchez on May 16, 2010 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions

That was my thought. You’re replacing a bat first guy, so why not go with another bat first guy?

I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on May 17, 2010 12:41 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm really okay with this...

The injury sucks…but maybe when Diaz comes back…it’ll be like a fresh start….same with Yunel the team is much better off now then when he left…i say Yunel begins his offensive tear tonight!

by Nova Scotia Steve on May 15, 2010 6:32 PM EDT via mobile reply actions