Braves News
Minor to have shoulder checked by Dr. Andrews
Mike Minor was scratched from Sunday's schedule start due to a sore shoulder and will be checked out by famed orthopedic doctor James Andrews as soon as Monday. Minor battled injuries throughout the 2014 campaign which turned out to be a career-worst performance. He was hopeful he would bounce back strong after experiencing no issues during the offseason. For now he is shut down and will have the shoulder and the surrounding tissues examined.
It was announced Wednesday that he would be shut down for now and scratched from a scheduled start Sunday. Braves president of baseball operations John Hart said they wanted Minor to have the shoulder and possibly other surrounding tissues examined in an effort to determine what's again threatening to undermine his season.
Minor's absence opens opportunities for Stults
It is unknown how serious Mike Minor's situation is at this point but his status will have an effect on the three-man battle for the fifth starter spot. If Minor were to be limited or begin the season on the disabled list, then two of this three man group would likely begin the season in the Atlanta starting rotation.
With Minor likely sidelined at least through the first couple weeks of the regular season, Eric Stults now seemingly has a greater chance of being part of Atlanta's Opening Day roster. The veteran left-hander came to camp knowing that he would be battling Wandy Rodriguez and top pitching prospect Mike Foltynewicz for the fifth spot in the rotation.
Freeman unlikely to repeat 162-start feat; C.J.'s his backup
Freddie Freeman played in all 162 games last season but Fredi Gonzalez is already planning on giving the Braves first baseman a few days off this season. When he does, expect to see Chris Johnson take his place at first base.
"Chris Johnson will be that guy, and you're going to see him play some first base in spring training," Gonzalez said. "He took some ground balls there the last couple of years, and ended up moving over there in that one game (last season) where Freddie got thrown out. I'm not going to carry a guy (just to) be a backup (to Freeman)."
Teheran puts past behind him in first spring outing
Julio Teheran put together a solid performance in his first spring start. He surrendered three hits and a run while throwing 25 strikes during his 36-pitch stint that lasted two innings. That was a much different performance than the one he had back in 2012 when he surrendered six home runs in a two inning stint to open the spring.
"I don't really think about that," Teheran said. "I know some guys make fun of that, and I do too. It's just something that happened before."
MLB News
Picking the statistical over/unders for the 2015 MLB season
Will a player hit more than 43 home runs during the 2015 season? SB Nation's Grant Brisbee has the answer as he goes through several statistical over/unders for the 2015 season.
Hunter Pence expected to miss 6-8 weeks with forearm fracture after HBP
Giants outfielder Hunter Pence will miss the next 6-8 weeks due to an non-displaced ulnar fracture in his left forearm. Pence was hit by Cubs reliever Corey Black in the bottom of the sixth inning of Thursday's spring training game.
Cubs sign Phil Coke to minor-league deal
Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Chicago Cubs have signed free agent pitcher Phil Coke to a minor-league deal. Coke posted a 3.88 ERA in 58 innings with the Detroit Tigers in 2014. He will make $2.25 million if he makes the Cubs' major league roster.