Braves News
Garcia's Spot Still In Question After Strong Start
Just Make pitch threw 5 1/3 innings and only gave up two hits with one unearned run in the Braves 4-1 against the Mets who haven't had a winning season since 2008. Despite striking out four and showing his worth the skipper is still not assuring that Freddy Garcia will have a spot in the rotation.
Bossman Jr. Pleased With His Stroke
B.J. Upton is hitting the ball to all sides of the field this spring and that has the bounce-back candidate of the year feeling very good about himself heading into the 2014 campaign. Everybody deserves a fresh start. Take it for what it's worth but B.J. has a .294 average in spring training and has put together 19 hits in 51 at-bats. He only had 72 hits all of last season while batting well below the Mendoza line.
Kimbrel Gets Back To Ninth Inning Spot, J-Up Smashes
With the season coming close to its first pitch the Braves got their closer his ninth inning work as Craig Kimbrel (best closer in baseball) shut down the Mets in the ninth inning retiring all three hitters and striking out one. We can expect to see his ERA under 2.00 again this season as he is just that dominant. Also Justin Upton went MAMO with a six run blast that many fans fought for on the berm in Champion Stadium.
Minor And Floyd Possible Return Dates
Mark Bowman reports that Gavin Floyd and Mike Minor could both join the Braves rotation in the week of April 20-26. This is good news for the rotation that has been depleted this spring training, but still expects themselves to be one of the most solid in the NL.
Dan Uggla's new swing has resulted in success for the Braves starting second baseman who leads the team with 4 home runs. Greg Walker doesn't believe in age trends and thinks that forearms can get back on track and have a good season.
League News
Scherzer Turns Down Record Deal
A source familiar with negotiations told FOX Sports 1 that last years AL CY Young Award winner Max Scherzer has turned down a 6-year, $144 million deal from the Detroit Tigers. The contract would have put him among the highest paid pitchers in baseball along with the likes of Clayton Kershaw and Cole Hamels. He and the team won't discuss deals in the season and will become a free agent next year.
David Ortiz, who has made the DH position famous, said show me the money and that's what he got from the Boston Red Sox who extended him another year for $16 million.
The sure handed third baseman for the Baltimore Orioles will not be playing in the early going of the season as the team doesn't want to rush him back too quickly from knee surgery.
Jurickson Profar has a muscle tear in his right shoulder that will sideline him for 10-12 weeks. This is a bummer for the Texas Rangers who expected him to be their prized second baseman.
Puig's Antics Getting To His Manager Already?
His manager simply doesn't know when he is hurt or when he is well. Patience is running thin in LA.
BTW... Go Vols #Sweet16