Rosters expanded today and the Atlanta Braves suddenly have 15 more players with which to finish out the regular season and attempt to make the playoffs for the first time since 2005. While the roster moves are being made as we speak, several moves are expected, such as the activation of infielder Troy Glaus from the DL and the recalling of Nate McLouth from Class-AAA Gwinnett. Likely several other one-time Braves will be recalled, such as outfielder Brent Clevlen and infielders Brandon Hicks and Joe Thurston. Barbaro Canizares, who was contending for the IL batting title, should get a hard look at coming up to Atlanta, as will JC Boscan. The bullpen will also likely get reserves with Craig Kimbrel, James Parr, Kenshin Kawakami, Michael Dunn and Scott Proctor all due to receive a promotion.
The big question would be whether or not to promote first baseman of the future Freddie Freeman. Derrek Lee and Troy Glaus are both free agent-to-bes, as is Eric Hinske so it would behoove Freeman when he gets to spring training to have a taste of the bigs, but that would also start his arbitration clock one year earlier.
In my opinion, the Braves shouldn't make Freeman a call-up this season after the acquisition of Lee. However, I heard yesterday that Freeman will in fact get the September call-up. I am not sure if he is going to join the team today or next week or what, but I would think that Atlanta would want Freeman making regular plate appearances in Gwinnett, getting regular work in the field and keeping a flow going. If he is brought up, he'll get MAYBE a pinch-hit here or there. I doubt any starts. He should stay in Gwinnett and perhaps AFTER the G-Braves season is over, then maybe get a call...but i disagree with bringing him up now.
One interesting note will be the likely call-up of Kawakami. Derek Lowe has struggled as the season has gone along, giving up five runs over three innings in a no-decision against the Florida Marlins, a game the Braves would rally to win last Sunday 7-6. Matt Diaz hit a two-run game-tying home run in the ninth and Brian McCann hit the game-winning homer to complete a comeback from 6-1 deficit entering the eighth inning. Lowe in his last four starts is 0-3, giving up 29 hits and 13 runs in 22 innings. Lowe's record has dropped to 11-12 on the season. It will be interesting to see if Lowe stays in the rotation, especially in the postseason, when the Braves would need the starters to be at the top of their games. Tim Hudson and Jair Jurrjens both seem locks to be in a postseason rotation, while Lowe may just be struggling his way out of a spot.
Tim Hudson was on his game against the Florida Marlins last Saturday, allowing just one run on six hits and striking out a career-high 13 batters over seven innings in a 12-3 Braves victory. For Hudson it was his eleventh career double-digit strikeout game in his 337th career start, but Hudson did manage to record his 1500th career K in the top of the first inning by striking out Logan Morrison. The win moved Hudson to 15-5, and the righty has won his last six decisions. Hudson also has 184.2 innings thus far this season and appears to be a lock for 200+ innings in his first full season back following Tommy John surgery.
The Braves dropped game one of the Florida Marlins series but quickly rebounded to take game two 12-3 before rallying for game three 7-6 with some ninth inning heroics. By taking the final two games of the series, the Braves continued an impressive stretch that has seen them drop just one series at home all season long, back in May to the Philadelphia Phillies, and improve the team's home record to 46-18, best home record in all of the majors. Colorado, who just swept the Braves at Coors Field, including a massive 12-10 comeback win in the series finale, has the second-best record at 43-21 as of last Sunday.
Finally, Mike Minor was activated got the win last night against the New York Mets. The Braves were giving the rookie lefty an extra bit of rest as he missed his last turn in the rotation due to an off-day. The Braves likely were extra cautious with the young hurler after watching the Washington Nationals' Stephen Strasburg tear an elbow ligament and require surgery, ending his season. The bad news for Strasburg might turn out to be great news for outfielder Jason Heyward in the race for rookie of the year race. Strasburg won over a lot of voters after his strong start but with his late debut and his early end, the consistent Heyward may win a majority of those voters back. Buster Posey of San Francisco and a pair of Marlins Gaby Sanchez and Mike Stanton might offer the all-star Heyward his toughest competition.
For more of my thoughts on the Braves, check out this week's Score Atlanta!
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