LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – In discussing where things stood with pending roster decisions, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said Thursday morning he hoped all candidates played well and made the process difficult. Several did in the Braves’ 6-3 win against the Marlins.
Kelly Johnson went 2-for-2 with two singles and two walks, fellow bench candidate Joey Terdoslavich had an RBI double, and pitchers Manny Banuelos and Cody Martin each looked sharp in multiple-inning stints during a 6-3 win against the Marlins at Champion Stadium.
“We did a nice job with situational hitting, we put the ball in play and we got some people on base,” Gonzalez said. “I like some of the at-bats we had (with runners on). I think the more we can do that – don’t get the strikeout – it’s good. You’re going to be able to score runs that way.”
Johnson, a non-roster invitee competing for a spot as a backup corner outfielder and infielder, reached base in all four plate appearances. After a slow start the veteran has come on strong this week, with a double Tuesday against the Red Sox and a three-run homer Wednesday against the Yankees.
Terdoslavich replaced first baseman Freddie Freeman midway through the game and hit a long double to the right-center gap in the seventh inning, giving the corner outfielder/first baseman a team-high seven extra-base hits (six doubles) and matching Freeman for the team RBI lead with seven. (Terdoslavich has a team-high 11 strikeouts in 33 at-bats.)
Before the game Gonzalez said if they broke camp now, the Braves would have Jonny Gomes in left field, Eric Young Jr. in center and Nick Markakis in right field. This, of course, hinges on Markakis being ready to play by the time the team actually does break camp before its April 6 opener at Miami.
Markakis is recovering from December neck surgery for a ruptured disk and hasn’t played in game or even had live batting practice, though the Braves hope that will happen soon and he’ll have time to get ready by opening day.
If Markakis is ready and Young hangs on to win the center-field job, it would leave two open spots for backup outfielders and five primary candidates competing for them: Terdoslavich, Johnson, Zoilo Almonte, Eury Perez and Todd Cunningham. Of that group, Perez and Cunningham are the only ones who can play center field, an important consideration given how hard the speedy Young plays, which has made him more vulnerable to injury.
Regular center fielder Melvin Upton is recovering from a foot injury and is expected to be out at least through April.
Gonzalez said he’d like to maximize the versatility of his bench, which could give an advantage in the battle for the last outfield spot to a player such as Johnson, who can play serviceable defense at all infield positions except shortstop. Or Terdoslavich, who could be a first-base backup.
Gonzalez said Phil Gosselin, penciled in for a backup infield spot, can also play some outfield. And he’s for non-roster infielder Pedro Ciriaco, who’s opened some eyes this spring, get some outfield playing time soon.
“It all depends on the dynamic of the club you want, but all those guys are in the mix for a couple of positions,” Gonzalez said. “And that’s if Markakis is on the opening-day roster. Let’s say you’ve got Markakis, EY, Gomes, right? And then from all those (other outfielders) we talked about you’ve got two spots. And for me, everybody’s in the mix. Almonte’s in the mix with the left-handed pop. Eury Perez gives you (an option) if you want to run him into center field against a left-hander.
“It’s a fun dynamic, how you want to shape your club. Kelly’s playing right today. He’s playing second base on Saturday in the split squad. He’s played both corners in the infield. Terdo’s played first base and both corners in the outfield. The other guys are more outfield (specific) guys. We’ve also run Gosselin out in the outfield. I’m running Ciriaco in the outfield in the next day or two — he didn’t play it all last year but he’s played it before — and see how that all shapes up.”
The infield picture is a little clearer, although it remains to be seen how much playing time veteran Alberto Callaspo will get and where. He was penciled in for primary second-base duties after signing in December, but reported to camp out of shape. Meanwhile, prospect Jace Peterson has taken charge of the second-base competition and been one of the best developments this spring for the Braves.
Callaspo has played better this week and has three hits in his last five at-bats, including two hits Thursday along with a groundout to the right side to drive in a run.
Gonzalez said if the Braves broke camp Thursday they’d have six infielders: Andrelton Simmons, Chris Johnson, Freeman, Peterson, Callaspo and Gosselin.
