LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Nate McLouth's torrid spring start hit a holding pattern, and the Braves' center fielder got a cortisone shot in his sore right shoulder Wednesday
The injury isn’t thought to be serious, and McLouth hopes to return to the lineup Friday. He didn’t get an MRI exam, but was confident the injury didn’t involve any structural damage.
“It’s more of a bruise,” McLouth said. “It’s strong. There’s no damage. I just banged it, and it’s sore. Hitting, it’s absolutely fine. But I don’t feel confident in throwing. There’s some pain throwing.”
He got hurt when he tripped Monday after a bunt against the Marlins. Massive Florida pitcher Josh Johnson fielded the ball and made a sweeping tag, catching the back of McLouth's foot.
“Then I got my feet tangled up and did a little head-over-heels type of fall,” said McLouth, who landed on his shoulder. “It could have been a lot worse. There’s no separation or anthing like that. Just banged it pretty good.”
He stayed in the game for his scheduled two more at-bats, but was sore the next day.
After batting .190 with a .298 on-base percentage in a career-worst 2010 season, McLouth is 7-for-15 (.467) this spring with two doubles, a homer, five walks and a .636 OBP that’s more than 100 points above the next best in the Grapefruit League.
"He looks like Pittsburgh Nate," Braves general manager Frank Wren said. "We weren't asking for anything more than that. We just wanted him to be Pittsburgh Nate, and he sure looks like that guy."
“Pittsburgh Nate” hit .276 with 46 doubles, 26 homers, 94 RBIs and an .853 OPS in 2008 for the Pirates, when he made the All-Star team in his final full season in Pittsburgh.
Fifth-starter update
Rookies Brandon Beachy and Mike Minor pitched well in a Wednesday morning "B" game in the latest round of their fifth-starter competition, while long-shot veteran Rodrigo Lopez had one rough inning in an otherwise solid performance.
Beachy started and allowed one hit, two runs and three walks with four strikeouts. Minor piled up seven strikeouts over the next four innings and gave up three hits, one run and one walk.
The Braves added the morning game against Cardinals reserves and prospects in order to create enough innings for Beachy and Minor both to work four innings. Lopez pitched in the Grapefruit League afternoon game against the Cardinals, a 6-1 Braves loss.
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