Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said he would like to let his players know who’s on the postseason roster by the time of their Tuesday workout, and possibly as early as Sunday morning before their regular-season finale against the Phillies. Gonzalez gave an idea of how the Braves were leaning on a couple of those decisions Friday, when asked if both Dan Uggla and B.J. Upton would be on the roster.
“Unless something crazy happens, yeah,” Gonzalez said. “I think so.”
Both Uggla and Upton are hitting in the .180s and have spent more time on the bench lately than not. But Uggla is their most experienced defensive second baseman and could either start or back up Elliot Johnson.
With Jason Heyward playing primarily center field and Evan Gattis in left, B.J. Upton’s playing time has been limited, and that likely would continue into the postseason. But with a short series — best-of-five — and two off days if the series goes to five games, the Braves could carry 10 or 11 pitchers, which would allow room on the roster for Uggla and Upton.
Another question the Braves need answered is about reliever Jordan Walden. He has pitched only three times since missing three weeks with a groin injury and has had lingering shoulder soreness. Walden has allowed five earned runs in 2 2/3 innings over those three appearances.
“Missing a lot of time and then getting on my shoulder a lot and then just trying to get the release point, get everything back,” Walden said. “I just need to make sure everything is good.”
Walden was scheduled to throw a bullpen session Friday and could pitch before the weekend series is out. If not, the Braves could send him to Lake Buena Vista, Fla., for an inning or two in the instructional league early next week.
“He’s got to pitch,” Gonzalez said. “It’s not fair for him, No. 1, if he doesn’t know whether he can compete at this level. And it’s not fair for the other 24 guys. We need to see him pitch.”
McCann update: The Braves think they caught Brian McCann's right groin strain before it got serious Thursday night, but they're going to play it safe with him the rest of the weekend against the Phillies. Gonzalez said he might pinch hit McCann on Sunday, if he's feeling good, but otherwise plans to rest him the weekend series.
“I don’t know if we can get him in a game before Thursday, but that’s OK,” Gonzalez said, referring to Game 1 of the division series. “I don’t think he’s going to forget how to hit or catch in seven days. And that’s a nice thing to have; we can get seven days of treatment and seven days of settling down.”
McCann tweaked his groin while catching starter David Hale in the bullpen before Thursday’s game. McCann left after catching two innings and striking out in his first at-bat.
“Mac being heads up and communicating to us that this happened and taking him out of the game, we feel like we dodged a bullet,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez said he plans to catch McCann throughout the division series if his groin doesn’t prove to be an issue.
“If he’s healthy, he’ll be catching,” Gonzalez said. “And we’ll use (Evan) Gattis as the left fielder.”
Johnson start: Outfielder Reed Johnson made his first start Friday night since July 25, which was three days before he suffered an Achilles injury beating out a ground ball for a hit. Gonzalez wanted to give him three at-bats against left-hander Cliff Lee (he went 0-for-3) to get on track before the postseason.
“He’s going to be a big part, sooner or later, of a pinch-hit appearance,” Gonzalez said. “So getting these three at-bats, getting him on the field, let him run around a little bit, I think will be good for him.”
Johnson is the Braves’ best pinch hitter, and he still ranks second in the majors with a .306 (11-for-36) batting average as a pinch hitter, despite missing six weeks with the injury.
Minor league awards: Lucas Sims, the 2012 first-round pick from Brookwood High, was named the Braves' organizational pitcher of the year and will be honored with other minor league players and pitchers of the year at Turner Field before Saturday's game.
Sims was 12-4 with a 2.62 ERA in 28 games (18 starts) for Single-A Rome. Outfielder Josh Elander was named the organizational player of the year. Elander hit .293 with 34 doubles, 15 home runs and 93 RBIs in 135 games combined in low-A Rome and high-A Lynchburg.
Other winners (pitcher, player): Triple-A Gwinnett (David Hale, Joey Terdoslavich, player); Double-A Mississippi (Gus Schlosser, Tommy La Stella), Single-A Lynchburg (Williams Perez, Robby Hefflinger); Rome (Shae Simmons, Jose Peraza); rookie Danville (Andrew Waszak, Victor Caratini); rookie Gulf Coast (Orioel Caicedo, Victor Reyes); DSL (Felix Falcon, Kelvin Estevez.)
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