Heat prompts Gonzalez to give Braves a breather

With the heat hovering at about 95 degrees Wednesday afternoon, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez decided to let his players report later than usual to Turner Field and take batting practice in the indoor cages.

“Give these guys a breather,” Gonzalez said before the Braves played the Mets. “I think especially here (in Atlanta) with the heat in the summer—and we are not (even) in the middle of it—I think you need to manage that as much as you manage off days sometimes with the players. Every once in a while get them out of the heat, get them off their feet, let them come in a little bit later. Let their bodies recharge a little bit.”

The Braves are off Thursday before opening a weekend series against the Diamondbacks.