Add Ramirez to Braves' 4th-outfielder candidates

"Ramirez put a charge on one," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "He's talented. How 'bout him running? Here's a kid that's 6-2 and he can fly. He's got the ability. Hopefully our guys will get him to be more consistent."

Ramirez, 25, was traded to the Braves from Detroit on July 31, after being designated for assignment. He went 4-for-11 with a triple and a homer for Detroit in 2009 in his only major-league experience.

Last season he hit .234 with a career-high 23 homers, 70 RBIs and 14 stolen bases in 121 games in Double-A and Triple-A.

“He’s got some juice, man,” said Jones. “He’s been one of the guys that’s really impressed me this spring.”

Jones said maybe Ramirez has figured something out when it comes to hitting breaking balls. All the veteran third baseman knows is the young Dominican has intriguing power and speed.

“He can fly,” Jones said. “I don’t know how the roster is going to sit, but he’d be a nice piece.”

Ramirez has just a .239 average and .309 on-base percentage in three Triple-A seasons, but he produced 17 homers and 33 stolen bases in 2009 for Triple-A Toledo. His manager in Toledo was Larry Parrish, the Braves' new hitting coach.

Salazar eye surgery delayed

Minor league manager Luis Salazar's eye surgery was rescheduled from Sunday to Tuesday after doctors decided to let some more swelling go down before the procedure, Braves general manager Frank Wren said.

Salazar, 54, sustained multiple facial fractures and a badly damaged left eye when he was struck by a lined foul ball off the bat of Brian McCann during a game Wednesday.

He was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center after the incident and has had at least two surgeries including one on his eye, which doctors were trying to save.

A former major league player, Salazar is in his first season in the Braves organization. He was hired to manage the high Class-A affiliate at Lynchburg, Va.

Heyward expected to play Monday

Outfielder Jason Heyward's back injury was not considered to be serious and he's expected to return to the lineup Monday when the Braves play the Cardinals in Jupiter, Fla.

“Just a little stiffness in his back, and we didn’t want to push him,” Gonzalez said. “I think if it's the regular season, he’s in there and I think he gets through it.”

Chipper stays hot, Jurrjens bounces back

Chipper Jones kept up his torrid pace, going 2-for-3 with a two-run homer to raise his spring average to .353. In 34 at-bats, he has four doubles and team-highs of two homers and eight RBIs.

Seven months removed from major knee surgery, Jones has gone 4-for-5 with two walks, two doubles, a homer and four RBIs in the past two games.

“He’s swinging good, playing good,” Gonzalez said. “He’s healthy. Chipper’s swing, especially from the left side, he just keeps getting closer and closer, headed in the right direction.”

While homers from Jones, Brian McCann and Ramirez spearheaded the offense to its third consecutive big day, Jair Jurrjens led the pitching staff in another strong performance.

After having his worst outing (four innings, six hits, four runs) Tuesday against the Yankees, he limited the Astros to two hits and one walk withfour strikeouts in five scoreless innings.

Eric O'Flaherty and Craig Kimbrel each pitched a perfect inning, and Scott Proctor had three strikeouts in a scoreless eighth.

5th-starter candidates go Monday

The Braves' fifth-starter candidates will pitch in separate games Monday. Mike Minor starts in the 1:05 p.m. main game against St. Louis, and Brandon Beachy in a 10:15 a.m. "B" game against the Cardinals. Veteran Rodrigo Lopez will pitch a simulated game against Braves minor leaguers at Lake Buena Vista.