Despite having two off days this week, the Braves will not change their starting rotation.
The Braves were off Monday and will be off Thursday following a two-game series with the Mariners.
Manager Fredi Gonzalez said he saw no reason to alter the lineup of pitchers. Julio Teheran, Ervin Santana and Aaron Harang will all pitch on six days rest. Gavin Floyd and Mike Minor will pitch on five days rest.
“We always have the ability to adjust,” Gonzalez said.
Following Thursday’s off day, the Braves play 17 straight days. …
Prior to Tuesday’s game against the Mariners, the Braves honored seven Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. Colonel Donald Ballard, Sargent Gary Beikrich, Major General Pat Brady, Colonel Bruce Crandall, Colonel Joe Jackson, Sargent Major Ron Rosser and Sargent Major Ken Stumpf were introduced to the home crowd. …
Gonzalez said he did not discuss a role with recently called up reliever Shae Simmons prior to his major-league debut Saturday. Simmons was called up from Class AA Mississippi on Saturday and pitched that night. He struck out the one batter he faced after he entered with one out and two runners on in the eighth inning against the Marlins.
“I don’t want to go that far and get his wheels spinning. He might have left,” Gonzalez joked.
Simmons made his second appearance the following day and recorded a save against the Marlins.
“Honestly yeah, I wasn’t expecting it, especially not that early in the season,” the 23-year-old said of his rapid rise to the majors. “I thought it may be, if I had a good year, depending on what the front office thought about me, maybe they’d call me up later in the season, or maybe just (Class AAA) Gwinnett. But it’s a good opportunity that I got real quick, so I’m going to try to take advantage of it.”
