MIAMI — Rookie slugger Evan Gattis is expected to start more games at catcher than veteran Gerald Laird while first baseman Freddie Freeman is on the disabled list, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said Tuesday.
His reasoning is that Gattis provides a good replacement in the fourth spot in the lineup while Freeman is on the 15-day disabled list. Freeman strained an oblique muscle Saturday and can’t return from the DL before April 22.
“It’s something that we talked about as coaches,” Gonzalez said. “Until we start getting that offense clicking a little bit on all cylinders…. We were going every other (game) with Gerald and him (rotating starts). But maybe we got 2-to-1 now, or 3-to-1, with Gattis. Because he can fill that four-hole spot for you.
“Now, if all of a sudden you start cranking on all cylinders, then go back to every other one, that kind of stuff.”
Catcher Brian McCann opened the season on the DL recovering from shoulder surgery. He’s not expected to return before late April. At that point the Braves could keep Gattis as a third catcher/fifth outfielder an pinch-hitter.
“He can scare you a little bit,” Gonzalez said of Gattis’ power.
A few hours later, Gattis hit a two-run homer to center field in the first inning of Tuesday’s game against the Marlins, his second home run in his 16th major league at-bat.
Etc. Justin Upton hit his sixth homer Monday, becoming the first major leaguer to hit six homers in his team's first seven games since the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez in 2007…. The Braves bullpen had allowed none of its 10 inherited runners to score before Tuesday, and the 1.64 bullpen ERA ranked second in the majors.
