The Braves called up shortstop Julio Lugo from Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday, looking for more of a veteran presence to back up Alex Gonzalez at shortstop.
The move, which sent Diory Hernandez back to Gwinnett, didn’t have anything to do with the bunt sign Hernandez failed to pick up during a seventh inning at-bat Monday night. Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said he wanted a more experienced player at shortstop to give Alex Gonzalez some time off.
“Some of the guys we’ve been trying are younger players,” said Fredi Gonzalez, referring to Hernandez and Brandon Hicks. “I think that role fits more of a veteran guy, a guy who has played shortstop at the big league level and been successful at the major league level.”
Lugo, 35, has played 11 major league seasons for four teams, beginning with the Houston Astros. He’s a career .270 hitter. He hasn’t had an everyday job since 2007 with the Red Sox. He hit .240 with 20 RBIs in 93 games last season for Baltimore.
Lugo went unsigned over the winter and had been working out at the Arizona Diamondbacks Academy in the Dominican Republic when the Braves signed him to a minor league contract May 23. He went to extended spring training in Orlando, then hit .231 (12-for-52) in 13 games for Gwinnett, with four doubles, one home run and seven RBIs.
“I’m in good physical shape. I just needed to be in game shape,” Lugo said. “I just needed to see some pitching. My legs feel good, my mind feels good. I think I’m ready.”
Alex Gonzalez has started every game but three this season and has had one day off during this stretch of 16 consecutive games for the Braves.
Jones returns
Chipper Jones returned to the lineup Tuesday, after missing four games with a strained right adductor muscle.
Jones said he felt the injury a little more batting right-handed than left-handed, but he was able to swing with some authority right-handed during batting practice Monday. He thought he might be a little cautious running the bases, but didn’t plan to pull up unless he felt it worsen.
Jones saw considerable improvement after an injection of sodium bicarbonate after he injured it Thursday night.
“I think without the shot we’re looking at at least a week and possibly a [disabled list] stint,” Jones said. “Even with the shot, the first couple days, I was kind of skeptical, but the fourth day proved to do the trick.”
Slow trot
Tim Hudson couldn’t help but admire a few video replays of the two-run home run he hit Monday night against the Blue Jays, only the second of his career and the game-winner in a 2-0 victory. But he was a little embarrassed about his home-run trot.
“It was longer than it should have been,” Hudson said. “Honestly I thought it was normal. Apparently it’s not. Apparently I need to be out of breath whenever I tag home. I don’t know. It’s been a while.”
Jones was only half-kidding when he was asked about Hudson’s home run and said this about the slow trot: “We’ve got to work on it. It could get him drilled next time we face the Blue Jays.”
The Braves went two years between interleague series against the Blue Jays and have played them only four series over the past six years. Hudson was too busy celebrating to worry much about it. His trot included a fist pump, a wave to his family and a perma-grin.
“He was so basking in his glory last night,” Jones said. “He milked that homer for every possible second that he could. It even took him two or three pitches into [Jordan] Schafer’s at-bat to do the curtain call. He was savoring every moment.”