Morning Chop: Braves News 4/3
By Jeff Schafer
Jonny Venters Receives Injection, Shut Down At Least Four Weeks
August 24, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Jonny Venters (39) pitches the ball against the San Francisco Giants during the seventh inning at AT
"Just over a week ago, the Atlanta Braves pulled Jonny Venters from a Spring Training game due to some concerns over the reliever’s arm. The left-hander was diagnosed with a sprain, but the discomfort and inflammation has persisted since, resulting in a visit to famed orthopedist Dr. James Andrews. Venters received a plasma-rich platelet injection from Dr. Andrews and will be shut down for at least the next four weeks, according to details passed along by David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution."
Uggla ‘excited’ about rebounding from down year
"As Spring Training progressed, Dan Uggla repeatedly said he felt much better than his statistics indicated. Coming off the most frustrating season of his career, he approached the regular season with the confidence that this year will prove much different than the last.Time will tell whether this proves to be true. But Uggla certainly gained a much-welcomed burst of momentum when his first swing of this season resulted in a towering second-inning home run that halted his struggles against Cole Hamels and helped the Braves claim a 7-5 Opening Day win over the Phillies on Monday night at Turner Field.“This was an awesome start, and I’m looking to build from it,” Uggla said."
Atlanta Braves ticket prices up 4%
"A day at the ballpark in Atlanta just got a little more expensive, but remains among the cheaper Major League Baseball deals.The average price for a ticket to an Atlanta Braves game rose 3.8 percent to $17.32 this year, according to Team Marketing Report’s 2013 Fan Cost Index (FCI).As a side note, the $7.25 average beer price at Turner Field is among the most expensive in the MLB."
Atlanta Braves 2013 Minor League Season Preview: Mississippi Braves
March 5, 2012; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher
Christian Bethancourt(68) throws to second in the game against the Houston Astros at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
"The AA level is the proving ground where prospects come to flourish or fail, and the Atlanta Braveshave a promising group of young players they hope to see flourish this season with the Mississippi Braves, headlined by pitchers JR Graham and Alex Wood, catcherChristian Bethancourt, and third baseman Edward Salcedo.Projected LineupPhil Gosselin 2BDan Brewer CFJose Martinez RFKyle Russell LFEdward Salcedo 3BChristian Marrero 1BChristian Bethancourt CBarrett Kleinknecht SS"
2013 Season Preview and Predictions: National League Edition
"Atlanta Braves: The Braves accomplished a rare off season feat: they got younger and better. Atlanta’s opening day roster is the youngest in the majors, thanks in part to the addition of B.J. Upton and Justin Upton, who join a young, talented core on the field, mound, and bullpen. With youth comes inexperience, and some likely growing pains reign in expectations a little. Still, a wild card seems like a good bet, with a division title a possibility should the Nationals slip up."