NEW YORK -- The Braves have no plans to skip Tommy Hanson's next start after he gave up four home runs in a seven-run outing Saturday night and showed signs that his right shoulder might be bothering him again.
Hanson stopped short of saying he felt any discomfort similar to the tendinitis that put him on the disabled list in June. He didn’t deny it either.
When asked if his shoulder was bothering him again, Hanson said he wasn’t going to make excuses, adding, “I don’t even want to talk about it, to be honest with you.”
The Braves have a day off on Thursday and would have the option of bringing Mike Minor back on regular rest Friday night in Hanson's spot against the Cubs.
The Braves have four days off over the final 41/2 weeks of the season if they decide to work in some rest for Hanson. Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said he planned to talk to Hanson, who has not mentioned anything about any shoulder discomfort since June.
"That's never been brought up since last time we shut him down," Gonzalez said. "I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't ask him or [trainer Jeff Porter] to be honest if there is something there."
Hanson is 1-3 with an 8.10 ERA in five starts since the All-Star break after going 10-4 with a 2.44 ERA leading up to it.
McCann to intensify workouts
The Braves remain somewhat cautious when it comes to catcher Brian McCann's progress with his oblique injury.
He spent the weekend series in New York doing light hitting, throwing and catching bullpens. He won’t know for sure how his oblique will hold up until he increases his activity level.
McCann will extend himself more in Florida, where the Braves begin a three-game series against the Marlins on Monday night. He plans to take batting practice on the field. Throwing with more intensity will be the indicator for his return.
“I hurt it when I was throwing, so that’s the motion that is going to be the hurdle I’ve got to get over,” McCann said.
McCann is eligible to come off the disabled list when the Braves return home Friday against the Cubs.
“He feels pretty good,” Gonzalez said. “I hate to push him and he has a setback, and we’re back to square one.”
Jones sits out Sunday
Chipper Jones was scheduled to take day off Sunday to give his right quadriceps time to bounce back from his first full game in the field in nearly two weeks, though he entered the game late and had a gamewinning, ninth-inning hit. Jones said he felt only normal soreness and expects to be back in the Braves lineup Monday night against the Marlins.
Moylan encouraged
Braves reliever Peter Moylan threw his fifth bullpen this week Sunday, working up to 60 pitches at 50 percent, as he continues to build up arm strength in his return from back surgery.
The Braves hope to get Moylan back by late August or early September. Moylan said his back has not been an issue.
“I want to take the next step already," he said. "The way I’m throwing right now, I feel like I could get someone out.”
