Jason Heyward reported to Braves spring training Saturday sporting a thicker beard and a little more muscle on what already was a chiseled, 235-pound physique.
“He’s at the point in his career where he knows how to get ready for a season. He’s got that part of it figured out,” hitting coach Greg Walker said of the right fielder, who signed a two-year, $13.3 million extension two weeks ago.
Heyward took batting practice wearing the helmet with a protective guard attachment over his right cheek and jaw, which he used last year after having his jaw broken in August by a fastball from Mets left-hander Jonathon Niese. He required surgery and returned one month later.
Heyward and third baseman Chris Johnson, another early arrival Saturday, were greeted by shouts and hugs from teammates when they entered the clubhouse. Reporting date for position players other than catchers is Tuesday, and the first full-squad workout is Wednesday, but most on the projected 25-man roster already are in camp.
Among lineup regulars, the only absentees were shortstop Andrelton Simmons and the Uptons, outfielders Justin and B.J.
Upton and Uggla updates: Much attention will be paid this spring to the two Braves hitters who struggled mightily last season, B.J. Upton and and second baseman Dan Uggla. Uggla has hit all week with other early arriving position players, while Upton has continued workouts at home in Tampa.
So far, Walker and other Braves coaches seem encouraged by what they’ve seen from both.
“I went down to see B.J. a couple of weeks ago,” Walker said. “He looked great, a lot more efficient. It’s too early to make any bold statements, except that I like where everybody’s at mentally, and I like where everybody’s at physically. …
“It’s the second day, and they’ve not even officially reported. But it’s important to see where they’re at. And it doesn’t take long to see, ‘OK, that looks good.’ And (Uggla’s) timing and balance were very much improved. I asked all the coaches individually, who’d you like today? And everyone (said) ‘Uggla looked fantastic.’”
Visa problems: Bullpen candidate Luis Vasquez is among three pitchers whose arrival to spring training has been delayed by visa issues in their Dominican homeland.
The others are non-roster invitees Atahualpo Severino and Lay Batista, a hard-throwing 24-year-old who had a 3.38 ERA in 22 starts for the Angels’ Double-A affiliate.
Of the three, Vasquez is the one with a chance to make the opening-day roster. The former Dodgers prospect improved significantly after he began throwing sidearm a couple of years ago.
Vasquez, 27, signed as a minor league free agent while pitching in the Dominican winter league, where he had a 1.56 ERA and an .086 opponents’ average in 22 relief appearances, with 19 strikeouts and three walks in 17 1/3 innings.
