Dan Uggla was out of the Braves lineup for the fifth time in the past 10 games Friday night, a pattern that is becoming familiar for the struggling veteran. Ramiro Pena was starting at second base against Cubs right-hander Jason Hammel.
Uggla’s past two starts have come against left-handers, Tyler Lyons of the Cardinals and Madison Bumgarner of the Giants.
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez hasn’t wanted to label it a platoon and still doesn’t.
“I don’t want to get into it,” Gonzalez said. “I come in and whatever I think is the best lineup to win today’s game, that’s the way I make it out.”
Gonzalez said he does plan to sit down with Uggla soon and address the way he’s using him.
“I’ve not spoken to him about it at all, but I think we’ll talk soon,” Gonzalez said. “That’s the way I am; I like to tell guys. But I have not sat down with him.”
The Braves have prospect Tommy La Stella hitting .300 in 31 games in Triple-A Gwinnett and might eventually turn to him. But it’s unclear what they’d do with Uggla, who is still owed about $23 million for the remainder of this season and next. The same reason the Braves can’t trade him is why they don’t want to release him either.
Uggla is hitting .184 with five extra-base hits in 28 games. He was left off the postseason roster last year after hitting .179 on the season, and that was while hitting 22 homers and drawing 77 walks. He’s not doing much of either this year. He has two homers and six walks.
Note: Minor league pitcher Luis Vasquez, who is on the disabled list in Triple-A Gwinnett, was diagnosed with shoulder fatigue after being evaluated by Braves team doctors. The Braves plan to treat it with rest and rehabilitation. Vasquez was also dealing with some residual discomfort in his forearm, according to Braves assistant general manager Bruce Manno.
Vasquez was signed as a minor league free agent out of the Dominican Winter League with a mid-to-upper 90s fastball. But his attempt to make the Braves opening day roster was hindered by a strained lat muscle. He got off to a rough start in Triple-A, where he has an 11.91 ERA through his first 11 appearances.
