Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez had B.J. Upton batting leadoff Saturday night against right-hander Kyle Kendrick, and Jordan Schafer on the bench – an indication that he’s not inclined to look at this like a platoon situation in center field and/or the leadoff spot anymore.
Upton has shown signs of improvement lately – hitting safely in eight of his previous 12 games entering Saturday.
Schafer went 4-for-5 with three stolen bases on Monday before leaving with a lower back strain. He suffered a quadriceps contusion after fouling a ball off his leg Wednesday, but with the off day Thursday, has been fine physically since then.
“I think Schafe is a valuable piece and a valuable player and if we play him like we did April May and half of June, I think he’ll be fine,” said Gonzalez, referring to a time when Schafer was in more of a part-time role.
When asked about not having Schafer at leadoff Saturday, the first thing Gonzalez said was he wanted to keep getting at-bats for Evan Gattis, who started in left field against Kendrick. Gattis had played only three games since his return from Triple-A Gwinnett.
“We’ve got to find out what Gattis can do,” Gonzalez said. “Just get him going again, get him some at-bats.”
Gonzalez also pointed out Kendrick’s splits: right-handers were hitting .319 off him this season, and left-handers .245. Gonzalez did say Schafer should get a start or two in the upcoming four-game series in Miami.
Facing Fernandez
Jose Fernandez is 4 1/3 innings shy of the 170-innings limit the Marlins have set, meaning the dynamic right-hander will get one more start this season against the Braves Wednesday in Miami against Mike Minor.
“That’s OK,” Gonzalez said, about an hour after getting the Marlins’ rotation from Braves public relations director Brad Hainje. “Let’s face him.”
Fernandez faced Julio Teheran and the Braves on Aug. 30, losing 2-1 but only allowing three hits, including a two-run Freddie Freeman homer. Fernandez pitched seven one-hit innings on Friday night, allowing only an infield hit, and helped the Braves by defeating the Nationals 7-0.
“Had a hell of a game yesterday,” Gonzalez said. “He likes to compete. He’s got pretty good stuff too, which makes it easier to compete. You got 97 in your back pocket any time you want it.”
