Two years after going to Chipper Jones for help during a slump that sent him back to the minor leagues, Jordan Schafer turned to him for advice on how to get back to the major leagues.
Schafer said spring training conversation with Jones -- about playing to his strengths -- has helped him come into his own as a leadoff hitter.
Schafer has reached base safely in each of his first six games in center field while starting in place of the injured Nate McLouth. Schafer is hitting .292 with six walks and two bunt singles. He scored the winning run in extra innings on Saturday night and the tying run on Martin Prado's go-ahead, two-run homer on Sunday night.
“I told him flat out you don’t make enough contact to hit up in the lineup here,” said Jones, who encouraged Schafer to use his speed. “’You’ve got to put the ball in play on the ground, put the ball in play to the left side and be the table-setter. Until you start doing those things, there’s no need for you here.’”
Schafer said he took that to heart when he started this season at Triple-A Gwinnett.
“He was pretty blunt with me,” Schafer said. “That’s what I was looking for. Going into the season in Gwinnett this year, it was something I tried to apply every game. It’s worked pretty well so far.”
After hitting a home run in his first major league at-bat, and next striking out 63 times in 167 at-bats in an injury filled season, Schafer admits the long ball might have been the worst thing that happened to him.
He’s shed that homer-happy approach. And if he reverts to it? He’s got somebody nearby to remind him.
“Schafe will get kind of homer-happy on you every once in a while if he hits a couple,” Jones said. “And that’s not what we need."
Jones knee flares up
Jones was out of Sunday’s lineup with a scheduled day off. He also needed the rest because his right knee has bothered him again.
Two weeks after Jones received two cortisone shots in his right knee, the pain returned following a 12-inning game against the Reds Saturday night.
“Knee is starting to bark again,” said Jones, who was diagnosed with torn cartilage in his right knee on May 15.
Jones experienced immediate improvement from the cortisone shot received two weeks ago and avoided arthroscopic surgery.
“I can still play right now,” Jones said. “If it ever gets back to the point where it was the day I got the MRI, then I might need to make a decision.”
The Braves can't afford to lose him with both Jason Heyward and McLouth on the disabled list.
“I’d rather just try and play through it in hopes that it’ll subside a little bit, at least until some people get back,” he said.
Medlen progressing well
Kris Medlen wasn't expected to return from elbow reconstruction surgery until mid to late August, but it could be sooner.
Medlen has had no setbacks in his recovery, which typically requires 12 months. He’s mixed in curveballs in his bullpen sessions. He’s scheduled to throw a 90-pitch side session on Tuesday, and, if all goes well, could be throwing live batting practice by the end of the week.
“It’s close,” said Medlen, who would likely go to extended spring training when the Braves leave on Friday. “I can’t wait to see if my stuff is just as good as before, so I can see people trying to swing at it. It feels good; I just don’t know if it’s actually good or not.”
The versatile Medlen could come back as a reliever or as a starter, depending on what the Braves' needs are.
Beachy throws from mound
Brandon Beachy threw from the mound Monday for the first time since straining his left oblique against the Phillies on May 13. He offered 20 pitches, all fastballs, at 70-75 percent.
“Felt good,” Beachy said. “It loosened up. By the end of the 20 pitches I was going back to caring about where the ball is going instead of trying to feel each throw.”
Beachy might not be back for a few weeks, as he rebuilds his arm strength and makes a minor league rehab start or two. The Braves don't need a fifth starter once Mike Minor pitches Tuesday until June 11 in Houston.
