Braves
C Christian Bethancourt drew a vote of confidence from manager Fredi Gonzalez after the rookie was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett to clear a spot for C Evan Gattis. “This guy’s going to be our catcher of the future,” Gonzalez said. “He’s just got to wait his turn.” Gattis had been sidelined since June 29 with a bulging disk in his lower back. … Mike Minor (3-6) was rocked in his shortest start of the season last week, giving up six runs on 10 hits and two walks in three-plus innings vs. the Marlins. He allowed six runs for the second straight start.
Marlins
Jacob Turner, starting for the first time since being exiled to the bullpen in June, led the Marlins to a 6-5 victory Tuesday over the Braves and their first three-game. “We believe in the guys we have in our rotation,” manager Mike Redmond said. “It’s an opportunity for them to solidify spots in the rotation. We’re looking for them to step up. I’ve been talking about that for a while, probably all year.” It was his first start since June 11 when he lost his job after giving up five runs in only four innings to the Rangers. “I felt good out there,” Turner said. “I felt strong getting up and down, which I hadn’t done in a while. Overall, I was happy with it.”
Mets
LHP Jonathon Niese (5-5) allowed four earned runs in six innings vs. the Mariners last week. Niese last allowed more than three earned runs Sept. 7, 2013, at Cleveland. “I knew you guys were going to ask about that. It’s great, but I really wasn’t thinking about it. It really doesn’t matter,” Niese said. “I was just trying to hit my spots today and I really didn’t on a consistent basis. Maybe I can start another streak.” … LHP Scott Rice, who made the big league roster last season after 14 years in the minors, had elbow surgery to remove bone spurs in his left elbow.
Nationals
Adam LaRoche, who has been scuffling this month, broke out of a July slump with a tiebreaking home run in the seventh vs. the Rookies on Tuesday. It was LaRoche’s first home run off a lefthander since May 28, 2013. “You swing hard enough enough times you’re bound to run into somethings. I’ve been playing long enough to know a lot of times it takes one swing,” LaRoche said. “I’ve been in a rut for a little while, my timing’s been out of whack, so this came at a good time.”
Phillies
One day after returning from a two-month DL stint because of a strained left elbow, LHP Cliff Lee felt fine. “Some ordinary soreness in his legs,” manager Ryne Sandberg said. “Nothing with the arm at all.” Making his first start since May 18 because of an elbow injury, Lee (4-5) allowed six runs and 12 hits in 5 2-3 innings vs. the Giants. … OF John Mayberry Jr. was placed on the 15-day DL with left wrist inflammation and OF Darin Ruf was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Compiled by Rick Crotts from wire reports.
