Escobar, McLouth held out of Braves lineup

Shortstop Yunel Escobar and center fielder Nate McLouth were both in, then out, of the Braves’ lineup for Tuesday night’s series opener against Philadelphia.

Escobar (strained hip flexor) and McLouth (sore hamstring) were in the first lineup posted in the afternoon. Escobar was scratched after telling a trainer during batting practice that his hip was still sore.

“He said he couldn’t go,” said manager Bobby Cox, who added that he wasn’t sure when the enigmatic Escobar would be ready. “I don’t know. I’m going to have to talk to him.”

About 30 minutes later, McLouth sat next to Cox in the dugout after batting practice and told him that his left hamstring was still a little sore, but he was ready to play. Cox said he wanted to be cautious and rest him one more day.

Escobar missed a week in late May after initially injuring his hip and was nearly placed on the disabled list as that recovery period stretched on. The day after Cox said they couldn’t wait more than another day or two before putting him on the DL, Escobar pronounced himself fit to play.

He had one minor recurrence of the injury in mid-June, but this latest flare-up has kept him out of the lineup for four consecutive games.

When he came off the field after batting practice, Escobar had a two-word answer for reporters waiting to find out about his injury: “Not good.” He didn’t stop to elaborate.

There was widespread speculation during the weekend that Escobar, talented but still immature, was being punished by Cox for a recent unprofessional display when he was benched in the weekend series against Boston. Cox had declined to discuss that issue and said only that Escobar was out because of injury.

The most recent in a string of incidents that has team officials upset with Escobar occurred Thursday, when he pointed to the press box and mouthed an expletive after the official scorer charged him with one of his two errors during a game against the Yankees.

TV cameras showed it, and any viewer could tell what he said. For several pitches afterward, Escobar stood with legs spread wide, not in a fielding position. Braves broadcasters pointed it out on-air.

Escobar also was benched by Cox in the middle of a recent game against Baltimore for careless play.

Cox said after Sunday’s game that he expected Escobar to be back in the lineup Tuesday, and he was — at least temporarily. Escobar went out to take infield and stayed out for all of the Braves’ batting practice, even after sending word that he wasn’t ready to play.

McLouth has missed three starts since straining his hamstring running out a groundball.

“I’ve never had any [injury] in the hamstring before,” McLouth said. “I think it was more a cramp than a pull. I hate [missing games]. One of the things I pride myself on is being available to play.”

McLouth has hit .264 with seven doubles, three homers and 11 RBIs in 21 games since being traded to the Braves from Pittsburgh, including .297 with two homers and nine RBIs in his last nine games.

His season totals would lead the team in home runs (12), RBIs (45) and stolen bases (10) if he’d accrued them all with the Braves.