Braves Injury News and Notes

Source: Yardbarker.com

Jair Jurrjens continues his long trek back from a hamstring injury that has sidelined him since April 30th. Jurrjens has been throwing batting practice to Braves hitters and has reported no problems. The plan now for Jurrjens is to throw in a simulated game on Friday, and then begin a minor league rehab assignment about four days later. No reports yet as to where Jurrjens’ rehab assignments will be at but the Braves say they think he will need at least two starts. That should put him back in the rotation by late June.

For the season Jurrjens is 0-3 with a 6.38 ERA, but he has clearly not been healthy. Maybe with the extended rest he will be ready to return to last years form when he was arguably the best pitcher on the Braves staff. His progress ramps up the need for Kris Medlen to continue to pitch well. Once Jurrjens returns the Braves can either choose to put Medlen back in the bullpen or could move Kenshin Kawakami to the pen. Kawakami has pitched better of late but you can’t hide his 0-8 record at this point. He might need something to change his luck.

More injury updates after the jump

Chipper Jones had a cortisone shot in his swollen right ring finger and is a possibility to be back in the lineup on Tuesday. Jones went down during the Dodger series when the swelling became too painful and even a DL stint was discussed. He took some swings for the first time in about five days on Monday and the plan is for him to test it out in batting practice on Tuesday. If he reports no problems then he will return to the lineup. Omar Infante has been filling in for Jones at third base.

Braves Center Fielder Nate McLouth was scratched from Monday night’s lineup due to a sore toe. McLouth injured the toe while running into the fence in Dodger Stadium while chasing down a double. McLouth is listed as day to day. Melky Cabrera filled in for McLouth on Monday night and responded with two hits. Due to McLouth’s .175 average, he might get some extra time off to make sure that the toe is healed fully before getting back in the lineup.

Also in what may be a case of a coach trying to take the pressure off of a young player, Braves hitting coach Terry Pendleton says that Right Fielder Jason Heyward is still struggling with an injured thumb. Heyward originally injured the thumb way back on May 14th sliding into a base. Heyward has yet to comment on Pendleton’s assumption but there is no doubt that the rookie has struggled of late. Heyward only has 3 hits in his last 32 at bats and has watched his average fall to .266 in the process.