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| Rafael Soriano completed his bullpen session on Sunday, which skipper Bobby Cox deemed "real good," according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Soriano noted that he feels about "80% healthy," and pitching coach Roger McDowell stated, "hopefully we can get the other 20% back to help us." |
Our View: This is encouraging news, and should help move the Braves closer to setting a timetable for his return. |
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| Matt Diaz, who is recovering from a torn ligament in his left knee, went 0-for-3 with a walk and stolen base in the first game of his rehab assignment on Saturday with Double-A Mississippi, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. |
Our View: The stolen base is encouraging, but manager Bobby Cox isn't counting on the outfielder to return until after the All-Star break. |
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| Rafael Soriano threw two side sessions this past week and will throw a bullpen session early in the upcoming week, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. GM Frank Wren said Soriano did not report any elbow discomfort on Friday, and added, "He threw at our complex on Friday and looked very good. Kent Willis, who's our minor league pitching coordinator, watched him throw and said he threw the ball very well." |
Our View: Following his pen session, a decision will be made whether he is ready to be activated from the DL. |
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| Brian McCann went deep for his 15th home run of the year for the Braves. |
Our View: McCann is on pace for a tremendous season as he is currently hitting .298-15-48 as he is threatening to match his power production from 2006 (24 HR, 93 RBI). |
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| Jo-Jo Reyes fell to 3-7 on Saturday by allowing four tuns to the Astros in 4.1 innings. Reyes allowed six hits and three walks while only striking out two. |
Our View: Reyes has now lost three straight decisions and six of his last seven. He still is maintaining average ratios (4.40 ERA, 1.43 WHIP), but those clearly aren't numbers you should be running out there each week. |
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| Rafael Soriano threw two bullpen sessions in the past week and reported no discomfort in his continually sore elbow, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice... Soriano has started and stopped about as many times as a jackhammer knocking out an old sidewalk this year. Continue to monitor his progress, but it is patently obvious that he just isn't an arm that you can count on. |
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| Outfielder Jason Perry went 1-for-4 with a triple and an RBI in his major league debut on Friday. The 27-year-old rookie started in right field. |
Our View: Perry is keeping the seat warm for Jeff Francoeur, who may not spend much time in the minors if he relaxes and heats up. This rookie had been crushing the ball in the minors, but we don't foresee much long-term fantasy value. |
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| Kelly Johnson went 1-for-4 and blasted a two-run homer in Friday's 6-2 win over the Astros at home. |
Our View: That was only his eighth homer of the season, and his first since June 14, snapping a 16-game drought. |
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| Tim Hudson enjoyed a strong outing in Friday's 6-2 win over the Astros, as he only gave up one earned run on four hits over seven innings, with three walks and six strikeouts. |
Our View: He improves to 9-6, and trimmed his ERA to 3.19. He bounced back nicely from his last outing, when he surrendered six earned runs in a loss to Toronto. Hudson is now 2-2 over his last four starts. |
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| Outfielder Jason Perry has been recalled from Triple-A Richmond, according to Scout.com. The team demoted Jeff Francoeur to Double-A Mississippi as a corresponding move. |
Our View: He is making his first start in right field tonight against the Astros. He hit .302 at Richmond and displays good power. He is worth consideration in NL-only leagues if you need some help in your outfield, namely for depth. |
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| Brent Lillibridge was demoted to Triple-A in order to make room for the return of Martin Prado on the big league roster, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: Lillibridge was having a poor season in the minors when he was called up, and he continued those struggles in the majors, hitting .154 in 26 at-bats. He should not have been on anyone's fantasy roster. |
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| Martin Prado was activated from the disabled list, and went 0-for-3 yesterday against the Phillies, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: In three at-bats, Prado's average dropped 20 points. He is not a viable option for fantasy teams right now, but he has good plate discipline and the offensive potential is there, so keep your eye on him. |
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| Jeff Francoeur has been demoted to Double-A in order to fix his offensive maladies, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: Francoeur has been completely awful this year, and has really disappointed fantasy owners. It's time to drop him and find somebody else for the outfield. Roster spots are too valuable to sit him on the bench and pray for the best. |
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| Tom Glavine is hopeful he can pitch again this season and will have his first throwing session on Tuesday, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. "If I start throwing and it feels good, I would love to get back on the mound in the first couple of days after the All-Star break," said Glavine |
Our View: Glavine has not been very effective this year, and even if he does come back soon after the All-Star break, it is not recommended that you add him to your fantasy squad. He currently sports a 2-3 record with a 4.85 ERA. |
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| Jeff Francoeur, who is rumored to be on his way to Triple-A to work on his swing, went 0-for-4 in Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Phillies furthering his chances of a demotion. |
Our View: The Braves outfielder is hitting .234 with 41 RBI, 40 runs scored with eight home runs on the season. Fancoeur's June numbers were ugly (.200/.263/.300). |
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| Jair Jurrjens didn't throw a quality start but allowing four runs on eight hits in seven innings of work against the hard-hitting Phillies lineup is nothing to be ashamed of. |
Our View: The rookie walked one and struck out six in his fourth loss of the season. |
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| MLB.com reports that the Braves are contemplating whether or not to send Jeff Francoeur to the minors to work on his offense. |
Our View: Francoeur has struggled all season but hit a new low in June posting averages of .200/.263/.300. Matt Diaz could return from the DL soon, which would make this move easier on the Braves. |
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| The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Matt Diaz could return before the All-Star break from a partially torn MCL. days, including sprints, quick cuts, and hitting. "I feel like I'm 100 percent [recovered]. I'm ready to get back out there. It's been tough not being able to help out."
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Our View: Diaz was a platoon player before the injury and things won't change much once he returns. However, Jeff Francouer, another right-handed hitting outfielder, has been terrible for most of the season and Diaz may get the chance to take his everyday job. |
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| Chipper Jones went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 7-3 loss to the Phillies. |
Our View: That was his 17th homer of the season, and his first since June 18. |
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| Jorge Campillo was not in control in Wednesday's 7-3 loss to the Phillies, as he surrendered five earned runs on eight hits over five innings, with two walks and no strikeouts. He gave up home runs to Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell. |
Our View: Campillo held a solid 2.54 ERA and 1.02 WHIP heading into tonight's game, but his loss drops his record to 3-3. He is 1-3 over his last four starts, and should be placed on your bench until he gets back on track. |
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| Yunel Escobar returned to the Braves' lineup on Wednesday, according to MLB.com. He was battling a strained left shoulder, but showed the team enough in batting practice to justify his return. |
Our View: Escobar was hitting .296 with six homers, 30 RBI and 44 runs scored over 75 games, and fantasy owners should get the green light to return him to active duty if gets through tonight's game against the Phillies without any issues. |
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| Mark Kotsay went 0-for-4 with a strikeout, while leaving four men on base, in Tuesday's 8-3 loss to the Phillies. |
Our View: This was his first game back from the DL, and he started in center field. Fantasy owners should wait until he gets back on track before considering him for starting duty again. |
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| Chipper Jones went 1-for-3 with two walks and one strikeout in Tuesday's 8-3 loss to the Phillies. |
Our View: That was a favorable return for him, and he looks to be a safe play for the remainder of the fantasy week. |
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| Brandon Jones has been optioned to Triple-A Richmond, according to the Miami Herald. The team activated Mark Kotsay from the DL as a corresponding move. |
Our View: Jones fared well during his stint with the Braves, as he hit .278 with one homer, five doubles, one triple, and four RBI over 54 at-bats, but he will have to wait for another chance to play with the big league club. |
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| Chipper Jones has returned to the Braves' starting lineup tonight, according to the AP. |
Our View: Jones made a miraculous recovery from his strained quad ailment within the last 48 hours, as he was in jeopardy of landing on the DL. Fantasy owners have the green light to return him to their lineups. |
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| Atlanta outfielder Mark Kotsay has been activated from the 15-day disabled list and will be in the starting lineup this evening as the Braves face the Phillies, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: The veteran center fielder had been sidelined since May 25th with a lower back strain. During a five-game minor league rehab assignment with Double-A Mississippi, Kotsay recorded six hits in 18 at-bats. However, he was able to swing and field his position without any trouble or discomfort and is ready to get back into action. |
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| Turns out Chipper Jones will not have to go on the disabled list, according to MLB.com. After reports that he was about set to be disabled today, Jones told manager Bobby Cox he was feeling better, and may be in the starting lineup tonight. |
Our View: This is an amazing turnaround from the reports that surfaced just hours ago. And it's great news for fantasy owners, who should feel free to put him in their lineup. |
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| Mike Hampton gave up four runs, three earned, for Single-A Rome on Monday night in his third rehab outing, according to MILB.com. Hampton struck out five and didn't allow a walk in the 59-pitch outing but he allowed eight hits |
Our View: The best news is that he didn't injure himself signing an autograph of pouring a glass of water from the cooler. Hampton hopes to return around the All-Star break, but we'll believe it when we see it. |
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