http://mlb.mlb.com ATL Homepage News Sat, 25 May 2013 09:33:26 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130524&content_id=48522716&vkey=news_atl&c_id=atl Sat, 25 May 2013 01:35:10 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130524&content_id=48522716&vkey=news_atl&c_id=atl After the Mets produced two runs off Anthony Varvaro during a game-tying eighth inning, a 76-minute rain delay preceded the decision to suspend the game with the Braves and Mets tied, 5-5. The two teams will be entering the ninth inning when play resumes Saturday at 6:10 p.m. ET. Mark Bowman http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130524&content_id=48467072&notebook_id=48476330&vkey=notebook_atl&c_id=atl Fri, 24 May 2013 19:28:58 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130524&content_id=48467072&notebook_id=48476330&vkey=notebook_atl&c_id=atl Jordan Walden completed a pain-free bullpen session at Citi Field on Friday afternoon. This marked the first time the Braves reliever threw off a mound since being placed on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation last week. Mark Bowman http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130524&content_id=48467072&notebook_id=48476328&vkey=notebook_atl&c_id=atl Fri, 24 May 2013 19:28:55 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130524&content_id=48467072&notebook_id=48476328&vkey=notebook_atl&c_id=atl When the Braves opened a three-game series against the Mets on Friday night, they began a stretch in which they are scheduled to play on 20 consecutive days. This arrangement has led manager Fredi Gonzalez to believe he might need to go back to a seven-man bullpen soon. Mark Bowman http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130524&content_id=48473960&vkey=news_atl&c_id=atl Fri, 24 May 2013 19:24:49 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130524&content_id=48473960&vkey=news_atl&c_id=atl Somewhere in the midst of his four-year absence from baseball and just before he began a stint as a janitor, Evan Gattis found himself broke, hungry and feeling helpless at the end of a five-day trip to New York City. Mark Bowman http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_25_atlmlb_nynmlb_1&mode=preview&vkey=preview_web_away&c_id=atl Sat, 25 May 2013 02:03:29 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_25_atlmlb_nynmlb_1&mode=preview&vkey=preview_web_away&c_id=atl The Mets and Braves will complete Friday's suspended opener, tied 5-5 heading into the ninth, before Dillon Gee and Mike Minor square off at Citi Field in the second game of the series. Eric Single http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130523&content_id=48409122&vkey=news_atl&c_id=atl Fri, 24 May 2013 10:00:00 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130523&content_id=48409122&vkey=news_atl&c_id=atl This year's All-Star Game ballot is, in part, a tribute to the men and women who run the Atlanta Braves. That's because the Braves' Minor League system produced 14 of the players on this year's ballot, more than any other Major League franchise. Richard Justice http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130523&content_id=48402182&vkey=news_atl&c_id=atl Thu, 23 May 2013 17:25:00 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130523&content_id=48402182&vkey=news_atl&c_id=atl Jonny Venters and Eric O'Flaherty became the fifth and sixth Braves pitchers to undergo Tommy John surgery over the past five seasons. Their heavy workload has been scrutinized over the past few years and they both were blessed with left-handed arms subjected to significant strain as they consistently threw 90-plus mph fastballs. Mark Bowman http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130522&content_id=48286558&notebook_id=48286776&vkey=notebook_atl&c_id=atl Wed, 22 May 2013 12:45:48 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130522&content_id=48286558&notebook_id=48286776&vkey=notebook_atl&c_id=atl The grind of a 162-game season is sure to wear on a baseball team. The Braves, known for not wearing their emotions on their sleeves, have found a solution. Jon Cooper and Eric Single http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130522&content_id=48286558&notebook_id=48286774&vkey=notebook_atl&c_id=atl Wed, 22 May 2013 12:45:45 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130522&content_id=48286558&notebook_id=48286774&vkey=notebook_atl&c_id=atl Just before rookie Evan Gattis sent a game-tying homer off into the left-field stands with two outs in the ninth inning on Tuesday night, Freddie Freeman got a taste of the excited anticipation many Braves fans have become very familiar with over the first quarter of the 2013 season. Jon Cooper and Eric Single http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130522&content_id=48286558&notebook_id=48286772&vkey=notebook_atl&c_id=atl Wed, 22 May 2013 12:45:43 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130522&content_id=48286558&notebook_id=48286772&vkey=notebook_atl&c_id=atl When the Braves saw Eric O'Flaherty and Jonny Venters go down for the season, while also dealing with the loss of hard-throwing righty Jordan Walden, they simply swallowed hard, then called in reinforcements in Cory Gearrin, Luis Avilan and Anthony Varvaro. Jon Cooper and Eric Single http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_22_minmlb_atlmlb_1&mode=recap_home&c_id=atl Wed, 22 May 2013 18:00:00 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_22_minmlb_atlmlb_1&mode=recap_home&c_id=atl Ramiro Pena and B.J. Upton hit solo homers and Evan Gattis hit a grand slam as the Braves powered past the Twins, 8-3, on Wednesday afternoon for their sixth win in a row. Jon Cooper http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_21_minmlb_atlmlb_1&mode=recap_home&c_id=atl Wed, 22 May 2013 01:42:48 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_21_minmlb_atlmlb_1&mode=recap_home&c_id=atl Evan Gattis added to the wonder of his rookie season with a pinch-hit, two-out homer that gave the Braves life, and Freddie Freeman's single in the 10th gave Atlanta a 5-4 win over the Twins on Tuesday night at Turner Field. Mark Bowman http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130521&content_id=48196456&notebook_id=48196468&vkey=notebook_atl&c_id=atl Tue, 21 May 2013 18:29:01 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130521&content_id=48196456&notebook_id=48196468&vkey=notebook_atl&c_id=atl Jordan Walden might not be quite ready to come off the disabled list when he becomes eligible for activation on Monday. But the right-handed reliever is confident his ailing right shoulder will be strong enough for him to rejoin Atlanta's injury-depleted bullpen at some point next week. Mark Bowman http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130521&content_id=48196456&notebook_id=48196466&vkey=notebook_atl&c_id=atl Tue, 21 May 2013 18:28:58 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130521&content_id=48196456&notebook_id=48196466&vkey=notebook_atl&c_id=atl Second baseman Dan Uggla's decision to go with the bigger bat was simply a product of his willingness to change things up, as he entered Monday hitting .182 with seven homers through 39 games. Mark Bowman http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130521&content_id=48195588&vkey=news_atl&c_id=atl Tue, 21 May 2013 18:13:33 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130521&content_id=48195588&vkey=news_atl&c_id=atl Outfielder Ralph Garr played the first eight seasons of his 13-year Major League career with the Braves from 1968-75. Legendary scout Paul Snyder spent the entirety of his 50-year professional baseball career with the Braves organization. Eric Single http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_20_minmlb_atlmlb_1&mode=recap_home&c_id=atl Mon, 20 May 2013 23:46:47 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_20_minmlb_atlmlb_1&mode=recap_home&c_id=atl Julio Teheran produced the finest start of his young career, as he benefited from a four-run first inning and came two outs away from his first career shutout while leading the Braves to a 5-1 win over the Twins on Monday night at Turner Field. Mark Bowman http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130520&content_id=48105152&vkey=news_atl&c_id=atl Mon, 20 May 2013 21:13:01 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130520&content_id=48105152&vkey=news_atl&c_id=atl The Braves announced reliever Eric O'Flaherty will undergo Tommy John surgery on Tuesday afternoon in Gulf Breeze, Fla. Dr. James Andrews will perform the procedure. Mark Bowman http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130520&content_id=48096002&notebook_id=48099316&vkey=notebook_atl&c_id=atl Mon, 20 May 2013 19:58:02 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130520&content_id=48096002&notebook_id=48099316&vkey=notebook_atl&c_id=atl Andrelton Simmons does not want to develop the reputation of being a whiner. But after being on the wrong end of four questionable scoring rulings during this past weekend's series against the Dodgers, the Braves' shortstop petitioned two rulings from Friday night's win. Mark Bowman and Eric Single http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130520&content_id=48096002&notebook_id=48096252&vkey=notebook_atl&c_id=atl Mon, 20 May 2013 19:32:45 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130520&content_id=48096002&notebook_id=48096252&vkey=notebook_atl&c_id=atl With Eric O'Flaherty and Jonny Venters now out of the picture, closer Craig Kimbrel is the last man standing from the vaunted bullpen trio the Braves have possessed the past few years. The Braves will compensate for the absences of Venters and O'Flaherty by enhancing the roles of some of their less-tested relievers, including Luis Avilan, Cory Gearrin and Anthony Varvaro. Mark Bowman and Eric Single http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130519&content_id=48022728&vkey=news_atl&c_id=atl Tue, 21 May 2013 10:00:17 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130519&content_id=48022728&vkey=news_atl&c_id=atl With emerging stars such as Jurickson Profar, Andrelton Simmons and Didi Gregorius calling Curacao home, the small island in the Caribbean Sea is quickly becoming the newest baseball hotbed. Jesse Sanchez http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_19_lanmlb_atlmlb_1&mode=recap_home&c_id=atl Sun, 19 May 2013 21:09:28 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_19_lanmlb_atlmlb_1&mode=recap_home&c_id=atl Still riding the momentum of the late-inning home runs that propelled them to victories the previous two days, the Braves played some small ball and manufactured four eighth-inning runs to complete a three-game sweep with Sunday's 5-2 win against the Dodgers at a rain-soaked Turner Field. Mark Bowman http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130519&content_id=47982334&notebook_id=47985898&vkey=notebook_atl&c_id=atl Sun, 19 May 2013 14:40:13 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130519&content_id=47982334&notebook_id=47985898&vkey=notebook_atl&c_id=atl Kris Medlen certainly had reason to be encouraged after limiting the Dodgers to two hits and one unearned run in seven innings of Saturday night's 3-1 win at Turner Field. But the Braves right-hander was frustrated that he issued three walks. Mark Bowman http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130519&content_id=47982334&notebook_id=47985792&vkey=notebook_atl&c_id=atl Sun, 19 May 2013 14:40:06 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130519&content_id=47982334&notebook_id=47985792&vkey=notebook_atl&c_id=atl With the help of hitting coach Greg Walker, Chris Johnson has altered his approach against left-handed pitchers and found immediate success. With the three hits he recorded Saturday against Dodgers southpaw Chris Capuano, Johnson entered Sunday leading the Majors with a .435 batting average against left-handed pitchers. Mark Bowman http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130519&content_id=47983922&vkey=news_atl&c_id=atl Sun, 19 May 2013 13:19:09 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130519&content_id=47983922&vkey=news_atl&c_id=atl As Eric O'Flaherty's left arm occasionally bothered him over the past few weeks, he was hopeful he could battle through it, like he had during last season's final month. But O'Flaherty's greatest fear was realized Saturday, when an MRI exam revealed a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow. Mark Bowman http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130518&content_id=47930124&vkey=news_atl&c_id=atl Sat, 18 May 2013 23:16:02 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130518&content_id=47930124&vkey=news_atl&c_id=atl The Atlanta Braves have been known for their admirable pitching depth, not only at the Major League level, but throughout their organization. They're going to require a show of that depth, now, and for some time to come. Mike Bauman http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_18_lanmlb_atlmlb_1&mode=recap_home&c_id=atl Sun, 19 May 2013 00:14:54 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_18_lanmlb_atlmlb_1&mode=recap_home&c_id=atl Evan Gattis added to his legend with a two-run, pinch-hit home run off Kenley Jansen, and Andrelton Simmons followed with a home run of his own to cap a three-run eighth inning that provided the Braves a 3-1 win against the Dodgers. Mark Bowman http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130518&content_id=47922158&vkey=news_atl&c_id=atl Sun, 19 May 2013 00:34:56 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130518&content_id=47922158&vkey=news_atl&c_id=atl In a rare show of in-game sportsmanship, Braves slugger Jason Heyward tipped his helmet in admiration after Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp robbed him of a potential home run. Ken Gurnick http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130518&content_id=47914760&notebook_id=47917810&vkey=notebook_atl&c_id=atl Sun, 19 May 2013 00:24:39 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130518&content_id=47914760&notebook_id=47917810&vkey=notebook_atl&c_id=atl Now that All-Star catcher Brian McCann and right fielder Jason Heyward have returned from their extended stints on the disabled list, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez faces the challenge of finding playing time for Evan Gattis. Mark Bowman http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130518&content_id=47914760&notebook_id=47914876&vkey=notebook_atl&c_id=atl Sat, 18 May 2013 19:00:46 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130518&content_id=47914760&notebook_id=47914876&vkey=notebook_atl&c_id=atl A Saturday MRI exam showed a tear in the ulnar collateral ligament of setup man Eric O'Flaherty's left elbow. The Braves placed him on the 15-day disabled list, and O'Flaherty will visit Dr. James Andrews within the next few days to learn whether he will need to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery. Mark Bowman