Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson was scratched from Monday’s lineup with right-calf tightness, the team announced just over an hour before first pitch of the Braves’ 4-0 loss to the Red Sox.
Swanson started feeling the tightness Sunday, manager Brian Snitker said, and it’s not expected to be a serious concern. Swanson hopes to play in the Braves’ spring finale Tuesday against the Red Sox.
“We have a couple days, there’s no sense in pushing it,” Snitker said. “If this was a (regular season) game, he’d play. But I’m glad he said something.”
Swanson, 27, has quietly had a great spring. He’s hit .324/.405/.514 with four doubles, a homer and seven RBIs through 16 games. He’s trying to build off a solid 2020 campaign in which he hit .274/.345/.464 with 10 homers and 35 RBIs.
The Braves begin the regular season Thursday in Philadelphia. This will be Swanson’s fifth opening day as the Braves’ starting shortstop.
Notes from Monday:
- Anderson struggled in the final inning of his last exhibition outing. Overall, he allowed four runs on five hits in 2-2/3 innings, but all the damage came in the third frame. Anderson surrendered three homers (Enrique Hernandez, J.D. Martinez, Marwin Gonzalez) and exited with two outs. Thomas Burrows finished the inning by striking out Franchy Cordero.
After allowing one homer in 32-1/3 innings last season, Anderson has allowed five homers in 18-1/3 innings this spring.
“I feel good, my stuff is good, I’m happy with that part,” Anderson said. “But it’s been weird. I feel like I haven’t been able to get out of that last inning. That’s a couple times now here. I don’t know if it’s a focus thing or what. I have confidence in my stuff still and I feel like I’m in a good spot, so I can definitely take that into opening weekend when the games really count. It’s frustrating, but I try to take the positives out of it.”
The homers to Hernandez and Martinez came on Anderson’s change-up. Gonzalez’s homer was on a 3-0 fastball. “I got into some tough counts and didn’t execute,” Anderson said. He’s confident he’ll settle in when the real games begin. Anderson will likely pitch Sunday in the series finale against the Phillies, following Max Fried and Charlie Morton in the rotation.
- Catcher Travis d’Arnaud raved about the development of youngsters Alex Jackson and William Contreras. Jackson will begin the season as d’Arnaud’s backup, but Contreras is considered the better prospect.
“Both of them are so talented, it’s so fun to watch,” d’Arnaud said. “They both catcher really well, throw really well, block really well. They both have great communication with all the pitching staff. They both can hit, they both can hit for power. I mean, what more could you want in a catcher? Period. To see them go against each other, it was fun. They both have fun with it and they were both still close and very open with each other, cracking jokes with each other. It was fun to see and I hope nothing but the best for both of them. They’re both going to be great catchers in this league for a long time.”
- Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo, when discussing New York potentially being National League East favorites, said (via SNY): “I’m sure Atlanta is pretty pissed off that everybody is talking about us after the good years they’ve had. And same with the Marlins, with them making the playoffs last year, and everybody thinks they’re not going to do well. So there’s a lot of people who are going to have chips on shoulders and want to prove people wrong, and those are dangerous people to play.”
It’s true the Mets generated buzz over the offseason, led by new owner Steve Cohen assuming control and the Francisco Lindor trade. That’s made them a popular playoff pick, be it as division champs or a wild card. But the Braves, who’ve won the last three NL East titles, will be favored until they’re dethroned. They don’t care about outside projections, either. Whenever he’s asked about predictions, Snitker reminds reporters few have picked the Braves during their latest streak of postseason berths.
- The Braves wrap up their spring schedule Tuesday against the Red Sox. Lefty Drew Smyly will start the game. Mike Soroka is also scheduled to pitch at least one inning, an important development as he continues working his way back from a torn Achilles.
“We’ve had a great spring training,” Snitker said. “The weather has been unbelievable, to be in this facility (in North Port) for a whole spring. It’s gone fast, so when things are going pretty fast, obviously things are going good and you’re enjoying yourself. It’s been a really good spring, knock on wood. I told the guys this morning I appreciate the effort, how consistent they’ve been. We’re ready. The guys are in good shape. All the pitchers are in good shape. It’s time to start playing.”
