Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez sent out the “bomb squad” for Wednesday’s 12:35 p.m. start against the Reds, giving Justin Upton his first day out of the lineup all year, as well as resting his brother B.J. Upton and giving Brian McCann the start off after catching his first two games back from shoulder surgery. He also gave Juan Francisco a chance to play back-to-back games in the hitter-friendly park against his old Reds teammates.
“In the middle of the week and you put a mental note circle that day on the calendar this is a good day to play your bench,” Gonzalez said. “Just let the bomb squad in there and let them play. It usually works out really well. Those guys will bring some energy….You’ve got to play your bench especially in the National League.”
Justin Upton had played in each of the Braves first 32 games this season. Gonzalez said the advantage to a lineup like that too was being able to pinch hit boppers like Upton and McCann at any point during the game, something his predecessor Bobby Cox used to employ.
Venters to throw off mound.
Jonny Venters is set to throw off the mound Thursday in San Francisco for the first time since receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection on April 3 and resting his elbow for four weeks.
Venters has been began playing catch for a week building up his arm strength and has been pleased with the way his elbow has felt. The real test comes as he begins to throw harder off the mound as Venters is trying to avoid surgery.
Brandon Beachy has one more batting practice session to throw either Thursday or Friday in San Francisco and then he’ll throw one final bullpen. If all goes well he’ll likely head out on a minor league rehabilitation assignment shortly after the Braves return from this three-city trip next Wednesday, May 15.
