The Atlanta Braves rookie of the year candidate Jason Heyward missed the All-Star game as he continues to rest his injured thumb but Heyward did have some company in Anaheim as the Braves ended up with six total all-stars after Billy Wagner was named to the squad last Sunday. Wagner did not make the trip but was credited with his seventh career all-star selection, and with good reason. Wagner ended the “first half” of the season with 20 saves in 23 opportunities in his final season as he has announced his retirement. Said Wagner recently of his impending retirement, “Actually I've probably relaxed a little more to where I can just (pitch). It's not that there's any less intensity when I'm out there, it's just being able to understand what the game's about and how to go about it and not get so caught up in having to, and now I can just go out there and enjoy it a little bit more.”
The Braves that traveled to the contest and were available to play were catcher Brian McCann, utilityman Omar Infante and pitcher Tim Hudson. Martin Prado started at second base for the National League squad. The NL manager Charley Manuel penciled Prado into the No. 2 spot of the order, behind Florida Marlins SS Hanley Ramirez and ahead of first baseman Albert Pujols. Alas McCann was not selected as the NL’s DH, as that honor went to Ryan Howard of the Phillies, one of four first basemen on the roster. McCann was the NL’s only other catcher.
The Braves wrapped up the first half of the year in first place, four games over the New York Mets and four and one-half games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies have won two straight pennants and many expected them to once again claim the division, but it is the Braves that sit on top after taking two of three from the Phillies in Philadelphia leading up to the all-star break as well as taking two of three from the Mets in Citi Field right in the first half’s final series. And the Braves won’t have to sweat Cliff Lee being in the National League East race like he was last season when the Phillies acquired him. Lee, rumored to be on both Philly’s wishlist as well as the Mets’ list, was traded by Seattle to the Texas Rangers. Now both New York and Philadelphia will likely target Cub lefty Ted Lilly or long-time Houston Astro ace Roy Oswalt.
Who will the Braves target at the trading deadline or will the team even make a move down the stretch? The Sporting News seems to think that the Braves will make a serious play for Chicago Cubs outfielder Xavier Nady, a past Braves target in 2007 and 2008. Nady would likely slide into centerfield as well as into the No.6 spot in the lineup. Nate McLouth, the opening day centerfielder, continues to rehab after suffering a concussion in a collision with Jason Heyward last month and recently stroked a home run during a 3-8 stretch in Gwinnett, but the team is currently making due with Melky Cabrera and Omar Infante playing centerfield. The other school of thought is that the Braves may try and make a run at an infielder to possibly replace Yunel Escobar at shortstop. ESPN sources have several teams calling in regards to the availability of Escobar but the team seems to be sticking with Escobar, despite the struggles. Escobar entered the all-star break without a home run on the year. He is hitting .235 with just an OBP of .334. When Escobar does make contact, the ball isn’t going very far as he is slugging .284, down from .436 last season and .404 for his career.
Heyward was eligible for activation from the 15-Day DL following thumb surgery over the all-star break. Heyward had been in a cast for his injured left thumb that sidelined the April and May NL Rookie of the Month for the last few weeks before the all-star break. Heyward was recently cleared by an Atlanta doctor to resume batting practice, which he was scheduled to take in Anaheim, though he did not play in the game.
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