PHOENIX — On the National League team’s bus ride to the ballpark for Tuesday’s All-Star game, Braves reliever Jonny Venters and his wife and parents sat next to Brian Wilson.
Fear The Beard? No, quite the contrary for the Venters clan.
The unassuming Braves left-hander from Pikeville, Ky., and his family — mom, Tanya, dad, John, and wife, Viviana — enjoyed getting to know Wilson, the famously bearded and colorful San Francisco Giants closer.
“He’s cool; nice guy,” said Venters, whose locker stall was situated between Wilson’s and fellow Braves All-Star reliever Craig Kimbrel’s in the NL clubhouse at Chase Field.
“He spoke to my family, spoke to me,” Venters said. “He spoke to my dad, my sister. He’s definitely a nice guy. I think they thought it was pretty cool to sit next to him.”
Braves All-Star catcher Brian McCann concurred: “He’s a real cool dude.”
McCann excited
Across the clubhouse, McCann slipped into his Braves jersey for final preparations before his sixth All-Star game and his first in the starting lineup.
“Just nervous getting ready for the game,” he said. “This is a whole different thing. It’s a lot different getting ready when you’re starting than coming in [off the bench]. Gotta get locked in, man.”
About 25 feet away, Roy Halladay went over some notes, then autographed a box of baseballs. The Phillies ace was all business as he prepped for the start, having already gone over a game plan with McCann.
“We just kind of went over what he wants to do,” McCann said of his strategy session with the ace of the division rival, a pitcher the Braves faced Friday.
“Yeah, weird,” McCann said, smiling before heading off to stretch.
Prado update
Martin Prado was scheduled to play two games for Double-A Mississippi on Wednesday and Thursday, likely his final injury-rehab games before he’s activated from the disabled list.
The Braves left fielder went 3-for-20 with three singles, one RBI, three walks and five strikeouts in six rehab games for Triple-A Gwinnett, including three games at third base, two at DH and one in left field.
Gwinnett is off today and Wednesday for the Triple-A All-Star break.
The original plan was for Prado to work out with the Braves on Thursday before being activated for Friday’s game against Washington. Instead, he’ll play a couple of more games to regain timing and stamina after being sidelined four weeks recovering from a staph infection that required right-calf surgery.
Kawakami back on DL
Kenshin Kawakami was placed on the seven-day disabled list at Double-A Mississippi on Tuesday, the second time he has been put on the DL this season. It was termed “shoulder irritation” by Braves general manager Frank Wren.
In the last year of a three-year, $23 million contract, Kawakami has spent the season in Double-A and is 2-4 with a 7.20 ERA in 10 games (six starts). The 36-year-old spent nearly seven weeks on the DL with a strained shoulder.
Etc.
Braves pitcher Jair Jurrjens is the second All-Star born in Curacao, after former Braves center fielder Andruw Jones, a five-time All-Star in 11 full seasons with Atlanta. ... The designated hitter was used for the first time in an All-Star game at an NL ballpark. The rule was changed last year, and the DH will be used in all future All-Star games.
About the Author
Keep Reading
The Latest
Featured
