Tomahawk Chops: Daily Atlanta Braves News Clippings For Saturday, September 17th

Your one-page daily morning overview of Atlanta Braves news:

Braves quotes after Friday’s 12-2 loss to Mets | Atlanta Braves
Derek Lowe: "This was terrible. And I don’t mean to make light of it, but it was non-competitive pitching from the first pitch. I mean, it was terrible." "I mean, the way I would describe it is non-competive pitches. You go 2-1/3 innings, give up nine hits, six runs … and it could have been worse if it wasn’t for the bullpen. Just an awful start at the wrong time."

Fredi holding out hope for Hanson's return | braves.com: News
The 25-year-old Hanson, who has missed the past six weeks because of an ailing right shoulder, will throw a side session at Turner Field on Saturday, and if all goes well, he will likely travel to Lake Buena Vista, Fla., to log some innings in an instructional league game. If he passes that test, he might be cleared to start one of the final regular-season games. "I don't even want to go that far," Gonzalez said. "I just want to take it one hurdle at a time."

Updates on Medlen, Sherrill and their prospects for postseason | Atlanta Braves
Kris Medlen will take a big step in determining if he can return from ligament-transplant surgery in time for the playoffs when he throws his first round of live batting practice on Saturday. If all goes well, he’ll do the same on Sunday. Depending on how his elbow responds, he’ll head down to instructional league in Florida for some game action.

Jurrjens is doubtful for Division Series; Hanson cutting it close | Atlanta Braves
Jurrjens, who has been playing catch while wearing a specially-fitted knee brace, is scheduled to throw off a mound again on Monday or Tuesday. He hasn’t pitched since Aug. 30 against the Nationals and has since been diagnosed with a bone bruise in his right knee, the same knee which kept him out of the postseason last year. When asked if the Braves could count on him in the Division Series, Gonzalez said "probably not."

Braves relief trio bring Reds' Nasty Boys to mind | braves.com: News
Braves left-handed reliever Eric O'Flaherty gained some firsthand accounts in 2008, when his bullpen coach with the Mariners was Norm Charlton, who teamed with fellow left-hander Randy Myers and hard-throwing right-hander Rob Dibble to form The Nasty Boys. "As far as hitting guys and the stuff they were known for, we can't do that, because the game has changed," O'Flaherty said. "Besides that, most of the stuff he told me, you can't really write."

Braves honor top Minor Leaguers | braves.com: News
"I've been here once before when I was in high school. We came up here for a tournament," Terdoslavich said. "Just to see it from the dugout, it looks a lot different. It's a great experience. I'm happy that they do this for the guys that have played well this year. It's awesome." The switch-hitting Terdoslavich ranked near the top in the Braves' farm system in most offensive categories, and he broke a 65-year-old Carolina League record by recording 52 doubles in his first full season.

"Future star" Pastornicky could get 2012 chance | Atlanta Braves
And come next spring, he might have an opportunity to fight for a major league job depending on what the Braves decide to do with Alex Gonzalez, who is in the final year of his contract. "It’s tough not to, especially when you come here," said Pastornicky, when asked if he thought much about those possibilities, while standing in the Braves dugout Friday. "But you can’t start thinking about that. You’ve got to keep going how you’re going, and one day hopefully you get that call. And when you do, hopefully you’re ready for it."