Escobar rests sore back

Lake Buena Vista, Fla. – Yunel Escobar was scratched from the lineup Saturday after waking with a sore lower back. It’s not believed to be serious, but the shortstop is questionable for Sunday’s road game against the Washington Nationals in Viera, Fla.

“He’s out of whack in the back,” said Braves manager Bobby Cox, who had Escobar on the travel roster for Sunday’s game, but said he wouldn’t know until the morning whether he’d have to make a change.

Other lineup regulars scheduled to make the trip Sunday: Chipper Jones, Martin Prado, Matt Diaz, Jason Heyward and Nate McLouth.

Escobar hasn’t played in two games after having a scheduled day off Friday. He’s had some bouts with back spasms in the past.

Backup catcher David Ross has missed two games with a groin strain, but took batting practice Saturday. He’s hitting .357 with four doubles and eight RBIs in 28 at-bats, and was 2-for-2 with a pair of singles in his last game Thursday.