While the Braves were reuniting with three of their former players before playing the Padres at Turner Field on Monday, first-year second baseman Jace Peterson was also catching up with old teammates on the other side.
The Padres selected Peterson, 25, with a supplemental in the first round of 2011 draft. He played 27 games for the Padres last season and was considered one of their top prospects when they traded him to the Braves in December.
“I definitely love that organization,” Peterson said. “I made a lot of great relationships with the players, with the coaching staff and everyone else affiliated with. Definitely looking forward to seeing those guys, for sure.”
In exchange for slugger Justin Upton and a minor-league pitcher, the Padres sent the Braves Peterson and three other prospects. Peterson is the only one of those players on the Braves roster and he’s become a lineup regular while batting .261 with a .337 on-base percentage and playing above-average defense.
The Padres drafted Peterson on the same day they also selected infielder Cory Spangenberg. Peterson was projected as a shortstop at the time before eventually also playing second and third base in the Padres’ organization and moving ahead of Spangenberg to Triple-A in 2014.
Spangenberg was in the Padres’ lineup at second base on Monday for his 32nd start in 51 games played this season.
“We kind of played up the middle together coming up,” Peterson said. “Me and him stay in pretty good contact (along with outfielder) Will Venable and others. Definitely got a good relationship with them and look forward to seeing them.”
VEAL RELEASED: The Braves released left-hander pitcher Donnie Veal on Monday after designating him for assignment last week. Veal made five appearances during two separate stints with the Braves this season and allowed seven earned runs and three home runs in 4 1/3 innings.
