Tuesday was the first day of Braves camp that felt somewhat normal, manager Brian Snitker acknowledged that morning.
Thus far, the Braves’ return has been ridden with unfortunate news. Four players tested positive for COVID-19, two veterans elected against playing this season and a coach opted out. Tuesday simply was about workouts.
“This has been our first normal-feel day since we got back,” Snitker said. “We have the whole group out there at once. It feels like spring training. … I finally got the chance to get in front of the team. I told the guys I’ve never felt so far detached from a team in all my life. Actually, I feel like today is the start of something. We’re getting back into the swing of things.”
Highlights from Snitker’s Zoom conference Tuesday:
» The Braves will play their first "controlled scrimmage" at 1:10 p.m. Wednesday. Mike Soroka, Max Fried, Josh Tomlin and Shane Greene will pitch in the game, according to Snitker. They'll also have a simulated game Thursday.
“We have a bunch of guys throwing the next two days,” he said. “We’ll push them to three innings, 45-50 pitches. … We’ll come out (Wednesday), stretch, run, throw, do our defensive work, hit, take a break and then play at 1:10 p.m. Try to keep it as close to that.
“At some point, I’m sure we’re going to mix in some night games. Right now, with the way this weather is, I’m scared to wait until later in the day here because those storms have been popping up. It’s good for us right now to get in here in the morning and get as much as we can before weather builds up.”
» The intensity will rev up next week. Snitker said next Monday will be "like exhibition season is starting." Umpires also will be assigned to the team July 13. By that time, Snitker expects pitchers will be up to four innings and around 60-65 pitches.
Position players will be better prepared by next week, too, Snitker said. He stressed to them that all their at-bats are important.
“These at-bats count,” he said. “What we have, you need to make it count. This is what we have. They’re going to see some good pitching (Wednesday) in this first thing. They’re going to have to be on their game to compete against these guys.”
» Snitker recalled his speech to the team Tuesday, saying it was "not even close" to the speech he gave them in February when normal spring training began. He did cherish the moment of normalcy to be in front of his players and look them in the eyes again.
» Since camp opened last week, Snitker has said he feels safe in the controlled environment at Truist Park. He's expressed concerns about traveling, but has maintained he feels comfortable in the workout period.
“I feel very safe here in this atmosphere because we are getting tested and we do know,” Snitker said, again adding the Braves aren’t among the teams who’ve had issues with testing. “I feel more secure because of the testing we’re doing. You get the test result, you’re OK, you’re negative, you know you’re doing things right. There’s nothing 100 percent, it’s tough, but as our test results have shown, our guys have done a good job so far being responsible.”
» Outfielder Nick Markakis decided against playing this season, but the Braves aren't looking for outside outfield help right now. Snitker said the team is sticking with the players it has in camp.
The Braves still have outfield depth and plan to play Ronald Acuna and Marcell Ozuna every day (though the latter could log time at designated hitter).
» Minor league field coordinator Doug Mansolino is overseeing the Braves' secondary camp in Lawrenceville. The camp opened after the Braves' camp because of testing. Snitker offered his first brief update on the camp:
“There are certain guys we want them to stretch out, so we’re talking to them about that,” Snitker said. “They’re just getting their guys back going, getting in shape and doing the drills, conditioning, fielding ground balls. We have the freedom (that) … if we need to pull from those guys when we start, we’ll do that also.”
» The Braves will open the regular season at the Mets on July 24. Their home opener is against the Rays five days later. The Mets and Rays comprise the Braves' first 11 games. They play 20 consecutive games without an off day to begin the season.
“I’m glad we’re playing,” Snitker said. “I had no preference as to who we played. I’m just glad we’re back playing. I thought that two months ago. It’s not going to matter who we’re playing, just as long as we’re playing. I was looking more at how we start out with 20 in a row. That’s going to be a challenge.
“Again, these best plans, one wreck can cause a lot. This new age we’re in, every third or fourth day there’s a call that could come in here that you’re going to have to adjust and adapt to. We have good numbers. We’ll be manned for it, and we’ll get through it.”
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