Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez has used James Russell as a situational left-hander out of the bullpen in the two weeks since he arrived in a trade but it hasn’t worked because, curiously, Russell lately can’t get out left-handed hitters.
Russell has allowed an earned run in each of his last three appearances while failing to retire lefties Robinson Cano of the Mariners, Bryce Harper of the Nationals and Carl Crawford of the Dodgers. This season lefties are batting .324 with a .385 on-base percentage and .535 slugging percentage in 81 plate appearances against Russell compared to. .113/.253/.129 in 78 plate appearances for righties.
“It’s sort of like a reverse split this year,” Gonzalez said.
It’s a new trend for Russell, who was acquired from the Cubs on July 31 along with Emilio Bonifacio. Over Russell’s four-plus years in the majors lefties have hit .245 with a .282 on-base percentage and .420 slugging percentage against him vs. .273/.344/.469 for righties.
Crawford was the latest lefty to get to Russell when he singled to score a run in the eighth inning of the Braves’ 6-2 loss on Monday. Gonzalez said pitching coach Roger McDowell is working with Russell to figure out his issue against lefties.
“Maybe it is just one pitch, maybe it is location against lefties, maybe it’s just one of those years,” Gonzalez said. “Maybe I need to do a better job with him; maybe give him a full inning instead of bringing him in in the middle of an inning. We need to try to figure all of that out to make him perform at the level that he can help us.”
Russell is the only left-handed reliever available to Gonzalez. Jonny Venters is on the disabled list recovering from his second Tommy John surgery and Luis Avilan was sent down to Triple-A Gwinnett on July 19 because of his struggles.
Avilan has had one good statistical outing in his last four appearances for the G-Braves but Gonzalez said the reports are positive. Avilan pitched two innings on Aug. 8 and allowed one hit with two strikeouts and no runs and went 2 1/3 innings on Aug. 11 with three hits, two walks and an earned run allowed.
“That’s something we want to do is stretch him out so he can mix all his pitches,” Gonzalez said. “His last two outings have been pretty good.”
