BRAVES NEWS
Dansby Swanson still recovering from wrist surgery, will sit during early Spring action
After undergoing offseason wrist surgery, word out of Braves camp is Dansby Swanson will sit during the early portion of Spring Training to allow the wrist to fully recover. Swanson has yet to participate in live batting practice this spring, which reportedly has been the plan for the 25-year-old for the duration of his rehab. The precaution being taken by the organization would seem to indicate that Swanson is expected to be ready for Opening Day, though that could obviously change once he does begin to participate fully.
Venters opens camp where comeback began
This week is a nostalgic one for Braves reliever Jonny Venters, who returns to the site of his incredible recovery from three Tommy John surgeries. Venters trained and rehabbed at the Wide World of Sports facility in 2005 after undergoing the first of his four procedures, and now returns as a prominent member of a contending bullpen.
“It hasn’t changed at all,” Venters said of the Champion Stadium training room, which he first regularly visited after undergoing Tommy John surgery near the end of his 2005 season with Class A Rome.
Given all he has endured, it’s unrealistic to expect Venters to ever again be as dominant as he was from 2010-12, when a rare elongated stretch of good health enabled him to establish himself as one of baseball’s top relievers. But he still showed flashes of his former brilliance as he produced a 3.67 ERA and limited opponents to a .208 batting average over 50 appearances for the Rays and Braves last year.
Depth perception: Creative ways the Braves can manage the roster
Take a look at the first work for Talking Chop by Anthony Traurig, who examines the Braves depth chart and how the club can manage its distribution of at-bats in 2019. With Johan Camargo relegated to a utility role this season thanks to Josh Donaldson, keeping his bat in the lineup on a semi-regular basis will be a challenge for manager Brian Snitker, but one that will enable the club to be creative in its ability to rest players.
MLB NEWS
Phillies eye competition in Harper sweepstakes
The Phillies are beginning to feel as though they are setting their own market in the Bryce Harper sweepstakes, and have reportedly begun to re-evaluate how far they are willing to go to secure the phenom’s services this season.
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