Braves News and Notes

Chipper Jones returned to the lineup for Friday night’s come back win going 0-4. He was back in his usual three spot in the batting order. Jason Heyward shifted to the second spot with Martin Prado leading off.

Yunel Escobar played Friday night for the Gwinnett Braves and went 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored. He was activated on Saturday with Brandon Hicks being sent down to Gwinnett. Escobar is excited to be back:

"“The leg is feeling good,” Escobar said through a translator. “I played [Friday] in Gwinnett and I had no discomfort.”“I’ve never been inactive for 15 days,” Escobar said. “From day one, I just wanted to help the team and I felt helpless being on the DL and not being able to do anything.”"

All the news however isn’t good. Matt Diaz was placed on the 15 day disabled list and he will have surgery on his right thumb to remove a foreign body that is causing an infection. The injury according to Bobby Cox will keep Diaz out for a long time. To take his place on the active roster the Braves called up Brent Clevlen from Triple A Gwinnett. I expect Jordan Schafer will replace Clevlen at Gwinnett.

Jair Jurrjens had an MRI exam on his injured hamstring and it revealed blood in the muscle. The injury will force him to miss two or three more weeks. Kris Medlen will remain in Jurrjens spot in the rotation for the foreseeable future.

Jo-Jo Reyes made a rehab start for Gwinnett and gave up one hit in two scoreless innings. I am not sure there is room for him on the big club right now given the way Medlen and lefty Johnny Venters have performed.

Tommy Hanson takes the rubber tonight with the first pitch at 7:10 ET tonight. He will face off against Diamondbacks right handed pitcher Rodrigo Lopez.