Braves’ Venters (elbow) goes on DL, Avilan called up
The Braves placed struggling reliever Jonny Venters on the 15-day disabled list with an “elbow impingement” on Thursday and recalled left-hander Luis Avilan from Triple-A Gwinnett, a day after Avilan was promoted from Double-A.
Venters has pitched as if injured for the past two months, but until the Braves announced he was going on the DL today there had been no mention of any injury at any point, including after Wednesday’s night’s 5-1 loss to the Cubs when the left-hander threw a seventh-inning wild pitch to let in a run and gave up a homer on the next pitch.
He has a 4.45 ERA in 40 appearances this season, after posting a 1.89 ERA in 164 appearances during his first two seasons in 2010-2011.
Venters has a 6.08 ERA and .343 opponents’ batting average in 31 appearances since May 1, including a 9.45 ERA in 17 home games. The sinkerballer has allowed six homers in 21 innings over his past 28 appearances, after allowing only three homers in 182-1/3 innings over his previous 176 career appearances.
When asked after Wednesday’s game how long the Braves could continue to use Venters in big situations given his recent performance, Gonzalez said, “Well, you’ve got to feel like you have confidence in the young man and you feel like you see some good outings [like Tuesday] night. You feel like you can get him over the hump, put him in situations where you think he’s going to be successful, and then keep going forward.
“If we don’t get him right — and I’m not even talking about last year right, just a good left-handed arm out of the bullpen — we’re going to be up against it. We’ll keep working. He’s got a good frame of mind, and he’s working with [pitching coach] Roger [McDowell]. And we’ll keep going.”
At about that same time, Avilan apparently was notified that Venters was injured and that Avilan had been promoted to the majors. He told other members of the Double-A Mississippi team and posted a few comments on Twitter saying how elated he was to be going to the majors for the first time.
One of his Tweets said, “I’m the happiest guy in the world ..!”
Avilan, 22, had just been promoted to Triple-A Gwinnett earlier Tuesday, and was promoted again without ever pitching for Gwinnett. He will be at Turner Field for Thursday night’s series finale against the Cubs, as the Braves try to salvage a split of the four-game series and 10-game homestand. They’ve lost five of their past seven games and are 4-5 on the homestand.
Avilan had a 3.23 ERA in 16 games (12 starts) at Mississippi, with 55 strikeouts, 31 walks and 50 hits allowed in 61-1/3 innings. Left-handed batters hit just .189 with a .561 on-base-plus-slugging percentage against him this season.
Braves assistant general manager Bruce Manno said the organization was in the process of transitioning Avilan to the bullpen, and had only used him as a starter so he could work on all of his pitches. They have viewed him as a long-term reliever.
The Venezuelan has a 21-30 record and 3.42 ERA in 143 games (53 starts) over seven minor league seasons, with 375 strikeouts and 154 walks in 424 innings.
Avilan signed with the Braves at 16 and didn’t pitch above Class A until 2011. He spent two years in the Dominican Summer League and two more in the Braves’ rookie leagues — Gulf Coast League in 2008 and Appalachian League (Danville) in 2009.
After going 4-8 with a 4.57 ERA in 36 games (13 starts) at Mississippi in 2011, he reduced his ERA by more than a run this season and raised his strikeout rate from 6.6 per nine innings to 8.1, although his strikeouts-to-walks ratio was not as good this season.
Venters has gone from arguably the best non-closer reliever in baseball the past two seasons to one of the worst statistically in 2012. Braves closer Craig Kimbrel has the fewest baserunners allowed per nine innings (6.9) among National League relievers, while Venters (17.5) has the second-most among major league relievers.
Kimbrel has the second-fewest hits allowed per nine innings (3.90) among major league relievers, while Venters (11.41) has the third-most among NL relievers, just ahead of Livan Hernandez (11.53), who was released by the Braves and is now with Milwaukee.
Kimbrel leads NL relievers with a .126 opponents’ average, while Venters’ .313 is the third-worst in the NL, one spot ahead of Hernandez’s .326.
Braves Kris Medlen and Venters are are tied with Colorado’s Esmil Rogers for fifth-worst percentage of inherited runners stranded (53.3) among NL relievers. Each has allowed seven of 15 inherited runners to score, while the Braves’ Eric O’Flaherty leads the league at 94.1 percent stranded, having allowed just one of 17 inherited runners to score.
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168 comments Add your comment
Fire Fredi Gonzalez!
July 5th, 2012
1:30 pm
About time. Hopefully he gets the rest/attention he needs and can come back to being close to the way he was before this year.
Drew
July 5th, 2012
1:34 pm
Wait… so why was our manager sending him out for 2 months while hurt (and pitching terribly)?
jt
July 5th, 2012
1:34 pm
Now if we could put Uggla Hinske and Brian McFann on that list, we might win some games??
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 5th, 2012
1:35 pm
this sucks
jt
July 5th, 2012
1:35 pm
Good point Drew!!!
Hendog
July 5th, 2012
1:35 pm
1st
jt
July 5th, 2012
1:36 pm
1st What Hendog?????????????????
Hmmmm
July 5th, 2012
1:38 pm
guy has been pitching great this season ….. this was completely out of left field, did not see it coming at all
Chris Snow
July 5th, 2012
1:40 pm
Sounds like this should have been a while ago.
jt
July 5th, 2012
1:40 pm
What pitcher have you been watching Hmmmm??
impingement
July 5th, 2012
1:41 pm
Impingement???? Is that slang for crappy mechanics??? Or overuse by the braves coaching the two seasons prior?
Freddie G
July 5th, 2012
1:41 pm
Darn it! Now I can’t keep running him out there. Bring Livan back- better yet, bring back Jamie Easterly, Preston Hanna, or Adrian Devine! If I had them- well you know what I’d do, now don’t you?!
Coach (2012 Fredi's Beisbol Fandango)
July 5th, 2012
1:41 pm
The front office and on field management have their collective heads up their collective butts.
hmmmm.........
July 5th, 2012
1:42 pm
What he’s been awful this year. The braves are falling behind and apart
F. WREN + Freddie G. = Loosing
July 5th, 2012
1:43 pm
I think that we need a new manager and a new GM. Watched Wren make to many questionable moves and we all know Freddie G. is a sub-par manager at best. Guy blew a 8.5 game lead last year (over used J. Venters (had tommy John, manager should have taken it easy on the poor guy) and continues to dumb stuff game after game. Freddie’s most recent stupid move: Use Kris Medlen for multiple innings when the game wasn’t close tues. night. Hey Freddie, when the game became a blow out either way, don’t use your most consistent arm out of your bull pen. Bring in a mop up specialist and call it a day. Save a young mans arm for more important games. Especially considering he came off surgery the year before.
any of you clowns who think Freddie is a good manager, are sipping on too much DOB kool-aid
rev buddy greene
July 5th, 2012
1:44 pm
this is no surprise at all Freddi killed his elbow last season and this season he is completely ineffective….before the pitch to arod i was telling people its only a matter of time before venters and dr james andrews are mentioned in the same breath….this article is the first step in that….sucks but venters is done until next september in my opinion.
Rick
July 5th, 2012
1:46 pm
OK DOB, time for the tough questions! Cant keep letting this slide by! We depend on you to bring it to us with the upmost honesty!!!!! Ask the tough questions big guy!
Marisela S.
July 5th, 2012
1:47 pm
Just to clarify, Luis Avilan is not Dominican, He is from Venezuela.
I am his aunt.
Phil Niekro
July 5th, 2012
1:48 pm
I blame Freddie with it,he messed him up last year with all those appearance,it was just too much work on his arm.I smell a second Tommy John surgery just around the corner.Thanks stupid Freddie for messing up our pitchers,it is a matter of time before Freddie will mess up Avilan,Vavaro,EOF,and the rest of our young pitchers.
Heavy workload catches up to Jonny Venters and his elbow | HardballTalk
July 5th, 2012
1:50 pm
[...] O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution notes that there has never been any talk of Venters being hurt until now, but there have been signs [...]
jt
July 5th, 2012
1:51 pm
I really don’t think where Avilan is from, he too will be one of those “young arms” that never pans out. Look at his AA record, less than impressive!
rich
July 5th, 2012
1:53 pm
So apparently Gonzalez and McDowell were the last to know that Venters has been hurt….been pretty obvious to the rest of the free world
jt
July 5th, 2012
1:55 pm
Freddie and McDowell thought Johnnie had a great “Dirt ball!!!
drew
July 5th, 2012
1:56 pm
what happened to the farm system that used to turn out terrific pitchers throughout the 90s???
pitching wins games….which is why the braves can’t win..
Peanut gallery
July 5th, 2012
1:57 pm
Someone go check if Ferry wants to run the Braves on the side.
JoeFan
July 5th, 2012
1:57 pm
Further evidence that the collective management of the Braves is not functioning as a cohesive unit. Someone needs to use a firm hand and take charge of this organization.
Skokie Dog
July 5th, 2012
1:58 pm
Len Barker is still up there in northeastern Ohio, waiting for that phone to ring. Frank, if you wait too long to do this, some other team may swoop in to get him.
buzzer
July 5th, 2012
2:00 pm
Aunt Marisela,
Braves fans send best wishes to Luis Avilan and family.
Tell him to go for it!!
Congrats!!
Jay Dubu
July 5th, 2012
2:00 pm
Is this a real injury, or one of those trumped up injuries to say he has arm fatigue.
David O'Brien
July 5th, 2012
2:01 pm
OK DOB, time for the tough questions! Cant keep letting this slide by! — Rick
Letting it “slide by”? I (and plenty of other reporters) have asked Venters many times whether he’s hurt, have asked Fredi Gonzalez many times whether Venters is hurt, have asked how long they will keep using him when he’s this bad (I asked that specifically last night). We can’t dictate how they answer. Can only report what their answers are and, in a case like today, how they appear to contradict with reality.
Fredi G.
July 5th, 2012
2:02 pm
Got to tip your cap to Johnny V for pitching through the pain. We can always find another arm. Now let me get back to my homework. OPS is slugging plus on base percentage. Did not know that. These saber metrics are so confusing. I did not become a manager so I’d have to relearn math. I hated math and school and I hate it now.
ACE
July 5th, 2012
2:02 pm
First question to Fredi, when did you find out Johnny was hurt.
FBGuy
July 5th, 2012
2:03 pm
There are good reasons bloggers here aren’t and won’t be managers. If a guy has a bad month, or looks bad over a short period, the cries are out to trade ‘em, push ‘em back to the minors, or outright release them. Many of these people are the ones who last year were demanding Fredi dump Heyward. Trip to the DL are not part of anyone’s managerial scheme, and Fredi is not an idiot, and while it’s fair to question some of his moves, few of them are as radically witless as suggested by bloggers. And already someone has concluded that Avilan will be no good without his throwing a single pitch in the bigs. Jeez, what a bunch of whiners who seem to know relatively little about real-life managing
Moylan
July 5th, 2012
2:06 pm
Be there soon!!!!!
Bobby's Cox
July 5th, 2012
2:07 pm
Not sure what goes on behind close doors these days in Atlanta, but earlier you had JJ unhappy with not knowing what the Braves plans were for him – Lack of Communication.
Now, you have Fredi saying one thing last night about Venters, while at the same time he is DL’d. Either someone other than Fredi knew he was hurt, Fredi knew he was hurt, or Venters really isn’t hurt and this is just a ‘you suck and worn out’ move. Either way, lack of communication amongst players and management, and that is bad news.
Frank Wren
July 5th, 2012
2:11 pm
Anyone out there know where Mickey Mahler is? I hear he may still have something left. Also, what about Chris Reitsma, or Chopper Campbell! I’m looking into re-signing Mike Hampton.
Bobby's Cox
July 5th, 2012
2:13 pm
Both beat writers were severely questioning Venters even being in last night’s game. I won’t even bring up the ‘injury’ but the fact that Johnny has been allowing inherited runners to score at a bad rate…that’s not the time for Fredi to “put him in a situation where he can succeed” pitching in consecutive days.
I’m highly doubting Fredi’s managerial capabilities at this point. The collapse in 2011 was one thing. Continual blunders in knowing when and when not to bunt, who to bring in out of the bullpen, taking starters out too early or too late… this stuff has to change soon, doesn’t it?
wins-by-a-link
July 5th, 2012
2:14 pm
Way too much much work last season, You can’t pitch every day, It has been evident for some time that Venters had some kind of arm problem, But FG kept sending him out there with the same results, Makes me wonder if FG has any idea of what he’s doing, I think this organization is headed down the tubes, FW has not had the success of his predesessor and the Owners don’t seem to give a damn, I really don’t think the Braves will turn things around as long as Liberty Media owns them.
bvillebaron
July 5th, 2012
2:16 pm
F.Wren + Freddi G. = “Loosing”:
Hey genius, perhaps you should learn how to spell before you accuse others of being clowns!
bostonbravo
July 5th, 2012
2:16 pm
oh come now! Havana Fats has NO clue as to what’s going on. Ever watch him DURING a game? Just staring off into space. Recall Prado’s almost terminal infection last year? Fredi didn’t even know about until almost too late. Players won’t confide in him because they know he’s a moron…like pointy haired boss in “Dilbert”.
Large Charlie Kerfeld
July 5th, 2012
2:19 pm
First Wohlers, then Rocker, and now Venters. Is Kimbrell next?
bostonbravo
July 5th, 2012
2:19 pm
“Frank Wren”…I think Roger Craig and Johnny Podres might still be alive. Why not run them out there & see how they do? (or wheel ‘em)
Skokie Dog
July 5th, 2012
2:20 pm
FBGuy wrote, “and Fredi is not an idiot….” You have to tip your cap to someone who’s as loyal to the manager as that.
Rick
July 5th, 2012
2:20 pm
There’s an impostor using my name on the blog!
Bobby's Cox
July 5th, 2012
2:20 pm
DOB,
Thanks man. I was surprised and glad to see the question from last night. Would be interesting to know more about the injury and when exactly everyone found out.
Casey
July 5th, 2012
2:21 pm
I seriously doubt he’s injured. It’s about “saving face”. They are shutting him down for a while, without the embarrassment. If he was in fact injured they would’nt have been sending him to lose games day in and day out.
IlliniBrave
July 5th, 2012
2:22 pm
DOB: not trying to suck up, but as someone who has been somewhat critical of Braves reporters in the past, I have to again give you props for asking pretty tough and challenging questions. I mean, you have been putting it to Fredi pretty hard lately. The fact that he has been mostly vague, evasive, and non-commital is on him – not you. I can imagine that when sitting across from some of these guys and getting the responses you get, you just want to sigh or say something snarky like “seriously dude?” But you can’t.
You’re doing a good job. Keep it up. And keep with the subtle pressure on Fredi. Eventually he will have to come up with some answers.
Trying to be unbiased
July 5th, 2012
2:24 pm
As a lifelong Braves fan (35 years) I will say that losing Cox and replacing him with Fredi has been a tough pill to swallow. In terms of tactics I sometimes disagreed with Cox, but knew at the end of the day Bobby was a guy I wanted to lead the team. He represented a somewhat antiquated style that was less reliant on the numbers and more reliant on experience. I hoped Fredi would have adopted the positive qualities I saw in Cox, but i have not seen much evidence of that so far. I’m sure he is a nice guy in the clubhouse, but I havent warmed up to him. Johnny V was used so often last year that I’m sure it brought about this arm issue. However, to be consistent I think Cox would have used him with the same frequency. Perhaps Venters should have let on that he was ailing this year if he didn’t. His velocity was good, but his results were not.
buzzer
July 5th, 2012
2:25 pm
The Venters move is smoke screen cause the dude has lost it.
I knew as soon as he came in last night we were gonna give it up.
Cubs pitching is suddenly stellar and every pitcher they have is Sandy Kofax.
The Cubs ARE THE WORST TEAM IN THE NL and WE CAN T BEAT THEM!!!!!!!!!!
Its disgraceful.
Chipper made some pointed comments about guys not showing up and playing hard everyday. Its sad really. Drop those Uggla and Mcann down to 7th and 8th. Put them in there PROPER place.
Move ANDREL up. He is hittin for high average.
Let Bourne ,Prado,Heyward,Chipper,and Andrelton hit in the high spots. Maybe they can generate enough hits to win some. Freemans hurt so he is not gonna hit.
We are scrued for POWER. And this season seems to b in vain right now. We should be better than the Mets. I mean c’mon.
count_schemula
July 5th, 2012
2:28 pm
Felt/feels like venters was hiding something trying to be the Marlboro man.
Blackbird
July 5th, 2012
2:28 pm
“Avilan, 22…The Dominican has a 21-30 record and 3.42 ERA in 143 games (53 starts) over seven minor league seasons, with 375 strikeouts and 154 walks in 424 innings.”
Started in the minors at 15???
Brave New World
July 5th, 2012
2:30 pm
Sorry to hear Venters is hurt, but this explains volumes about the way his pitching has dropped off from last year. Here’s hoping Mr. Venters returns to his dominant pitching.
gotigers72
July 5th, 2012
2:32 pm
This is on Venters. He is the one responsible for letting his boss[es] know when something is physically wrong with his arm/shoulder, but he did not. Why? Who knows? Maybe he was scared that something bad would be found and he kept trying to put it off.
He should realize that he was hurting his team as well as himself. If it really turns out to be something serious… I’m praying for you Johnny.
Blackbird
July 5th, 2012
2:32 pm
In the 9 games prior to June 10 (12-4 loss to Toronto), Braves went 8-1. Since then, 8-14. When Fredi made it clear he was ok with the team losing that day, he sent a VERY bad message to the team. He should have been fired right then!
Tampa Gator
July 5th, 2012
2:33 pm
Venters was totally unhittable for most of last year….but totally overused by Freddy to the point where…at the end of the year…it was obvious somethting was wrong. Then…..this year….it was obvious to everyone except Freddy….that something was still wrong. It was obvious in the spring when he just wasn’t the same. What a shame. I certainly hope Venters gets better, rests, and comes back strong….but probably after another reconstructive surgery….he has already had one, I believe.
tulsabravo
July 5th, 2012
2:35 pm
Braves, for the love of baseball… SELL. Trade Bourn, trade Uggla, trade McCann. Keep Heyward, Prado, Simmons, Freeman, and most of all Kimbrell. Don’t waste any more money this season trying to convince yourselves and your fans that spending money on players like Ben Sheets will make any difference, because it won’t. Sure he may be good for a couple of starts, but it’s time to rebuild.
MikeY
July 5th, 2012
2:38 pm
DOB: good to see you responding. Have you heard anything about McCann’s vision problems? He squints and bugs his eyes at the plate. It is obvious he is having vision issues. Please ask!
Go Braves!
Frank Wren
July 5th, 2012
2:38 pm
To boston bravo- if I were Freddie, I’d tip my cap to your suggestions! Seriously, Chris Paranto and I are in serious ngotiations as I speak. I hear Troy Glaus may still be available, and Jim Bouton wants one more shot- what do you’ll think? Freddie says he’d like to run them out there- but only in situations where they can suceed!
Brava
July 5th, 2012
2:38 pm
Please go to MLB.com and vote for Bourn. If you have a Twitter account, please tweet #VoteBourn. Every tweet counts as a vote. We have him in second place already and voting ends at 4:00PM today.
ideasbm
July 5th, 2012
2:39 pm
You know I never really liked Bobby Cox and his Yankee hit all home run ball type of play. However when jerks like Henski swings like he never sees the ball (lucky if he hits anything) he would be outta here with Bobby managing. I can hand it to him, he could tell a washed up player when he sees one. For the pitching Delgado has such a straight fastball, even I could hit it. Get him outta here also. Medlen is being used wrong, he should be a starter. He cannot be a long reliever. Some guys have that some do not, that is why he has let inherited runners score. Another thing about the bullpen, the stupid decisions of keeping a lot of Latin players in the bullpen, even though they do not need to be in the majors seems like discrimination FOR Latin players FROM a Latin manager. When is Wren going to wake up.
Frank Wren
July 5th, 2012
2:40 pm
You all just don’t understand. It’s Liberty Media’s fault, not Freddie’s or mine. And please, take it easy on Freddie, he is a nice guy.
Spider29
July 5th, 2012
2:40 pm
Good luck to Jonny. I hope he gets well soon and is back to his nearly-unhittalbe self. The Braves will sure need him back in the bullpen. Congrats to Avilan on his call-up.
iTiSi
July 5th, 2012
2:42 pm
I think the sportswriters, broadcasters, etc. are beginning to figure out what most of us already knew! They were all just in denial, or didn’t want to “rock the boat”.
TJ Lambert
July 5th, 2012
2:43 pm
If you remember Cox used the hound out of Johnny before Freddie. Johnnie is a hoss and I hope he gets well with rest. Most relievers are variable in performance. Just look at Billy Wagner’s career.
All those Freddie haters go coach a little league team and see what you have to balance to have a good team then come back and complain.
Doug
July 5th, 2012
2:43 pm
I have been a Freddie G fan until I heard him ramble on about a bunch of crap the other night on the radio pre game show. He made no sense what so ever. I think he doesn’t have a clue about anything. FIRE HIM NOW!!!!!
Tana
July 5th, 2012
2:44 pm
Everyone get off of Gonzalez case. It isn’t his fault that our pitching staff is a mockery of major leaguers.
Slowhiteguy
July 5th, 2012
2:44 pm
It still feels to me like FG is a substitue teacher..can give the lesson plans, sits in the class to monitor the students…but doesn’t quite demand the respect the normal “real” teacher does. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if he is let go in the very near future.
Tana
July 5th, 2012
2:45 pm
Bobby Cox ran pitchers out there day in day out no matter how bad they were. So if he is a “Hall of Fame” manager…of course Fredi is doing the same things he was taught to do.
ACE
July 5th, 2012
2:46 pm
who ever said that DOB had been questioning Fredi hard must not have seen the BUNT question he lobbed to him.
TuffShhhtuff
July 5th, 2012
2:47 pm
It seems like every time there is an injury, or someone’s not performing to expectations, they come up with a new term or description for it. There have been 2 or 3 this year I had not heard of before, and honestly I have never heard the word “impingement” used in association with an injury. I know, they just do it to make it sound good, and legitimate!
Freddie G
July 5th, 2012
2:49 pm
You’ll can bad mouth me all you want, but you have to admit- I know how to TIP A CAP! Where is Buddy Carlyle- I want to run him out there.
Rufus
July 5th, 2012
2:49 pm
I still say a managerial and pitching coach change will cure about 90% of the problems.
Out at the Plate
July 5th, 2012
2:50 pm
This is a blow … even though Venters has been a disaster much of the year. It’s just deflating.
Obviously, he was overworked last year. But despite JV’s failures this year, Fredi (and Roger) ran him out there in half the games. I hope he’s just got a tired arm, but the signage is not positive. And our best hope to replace him is a 7-year minor leaguer who never got beyond AA?
Wren approached the off season by saying that September was an aberration. We all heard his pollyanna story: We get everyone back and “we like our club.”
The truth is he had no plan for 2012. Every season is a new deal; pitchers go down – Beachy, Venters, etc. Look at Mariano Rivera. The Yankees roll on anyway. People slump (McCann, Uggla).
Wren knows this. He knows he’s handcuffed by finances. TELL THE TRUTH, FRANK.
Skokie Dog
July 5th, 2012
2:51 pm
Slowhiteguy: That’s an excellent analogy. I tip my cap to your astute observation.
Rufus
July 5th, 2012
2:51 pm
But that is just on the defensive side of the ball. Enter your comments here
buzzer
July 5th, 2012
2:52 pm
This team without Chipper is scary awful. Next year could be seriously bleak. We have no power and we won’t have Bourne to get on base. Mike Bourne is playing big right now so his agents can show him the money after or at the end of this season.
They are hard to watch right now.
If it were not for Chippers last season, I think we would be in the bottom.
And please this bench has to be THE WORST in MLB this year.
Dreadful. They all need to retire.
Homer the Brave
July 5th, 2012
2:53 pm
Is it odd that Avilan was promoted directly from AA when we still have players like Gearrin, Chapman, Flande, and Carlyle at AAA?
Spud Webb
July 5th, 2012
2:54 pm
Love this kid, but 40 appearances this season is tough in 81 games. 79 in 2010 and 85 last year is a lot. I hope it’s not serious, but with that kind of work over the last 2 & 1/2 years, it was bound to happen.
Keep running em out there Freddi!!!!
Lee Maye
July 5th, 2012
2:56 pm
ideasbm, yeah right. Cox kept running Troy Glaus out there and other vets without giving younger guys a chance. This is why guys like Schafer, Andrus, Melke, and many others, do better when they get away. Braves simply don’t give them much of a chance.
Same thing this year. No need to sign Livan. Braves had Flande with a 0.00 ERA in spring but we sign the bum Livan.
steve brown
July 5th, 2012
2:56 pm
Wren, the spokesman for the Braves top management, annually sells us the propaganda about the depth of and the superiority of our pitching throughout the system. He sells us this because it glorifies the so called brain trust and is in reality nothing more than self-aggrandizement. These people can not judge talent. There are plenty of teams with harder throwers and plenty of teams with greater power hitters and plenty of teams with better records. If we had local ownership heads would be rolling.
TuffShhhtuff
July 5th, 2012
2:56 pm
“Ace” you must be referring to the one just the other night in which there was a runner on first and second, no outs, and he sends Hinske up to hit, rather than Hudson or Jurrgens, who are both good bunters. That was the worst one of all pertaining to scoring runs every chance given. I think, if I remember right that Hinske flew out to CF, and if he had been bunted over to third, there was another flyout that would have scored him. I noticed too that FG wasn’t asked specifically why he didn’t bunt in that situation. Here’s the way the question to him was worded, “The way your bench is composed, is there much you can do besides have Hinske swing away?” Of course, that gave FG an out there and all he did was basically dodge the question.
DD795
July 5th, 2012
2:57 pm
Good bye Freddie. Hello Terry. Should have been TP’s job to start with.
PMC
July 5th, 2012
2:57 pm
Ah yes, the old Elbow Impingement. Braves code for he needs a break.
Get well soon Johnny. Hope you correct whatever it is hurting you during the next 2 weeks. They’re goign to need you.
David O'Brien
July 5th, 2012
2:59 pm
NEW BLOGGAGE
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/07/05/braves-hope-july-5-is-turning-point-again-for-uggla/
Sons of Rick Matula
July 5th, 2012
2:59 pm
Fredi makes the comment that he was trying to use Venters in a situation where he had a chance to succeed.
Then explain why he didn’t start the inning with JV rather than bring him in with man on second and no out. At his best, Venters has to rely on the slider down. He’s not at his best these days. He wild pitches one run in. he’s upset and leaves the next slider up. HR.
Now we find out his problem is a shoulder impingement. (which is a nice way of saying his rotator cuff is f’nort).
An impingement is an irritation.
As a manager, Fredi is an impingement.
Kentavo
July 5th, 2012
3:01 pm
Either Fredi is completely clueless, or he’s practicing for a career in politics.
Drew
July 5th, 2012
3:02 pm
My guess is Venters is not hurt.. just needs to straighten out his form/mechanics.
-
If the Braves can ever get a solid year out of 50% of their key players, they’d be awesome.
PMC
July 5th, 2012
3:03 pm
If he were a righthander, they probably demote him, but he’s a lefty so it’s DL.
This is just how the Braves operate.
Larry
July 5th, 2012
3:05 pm
I saw this coming! I called it! You people need to listen to me. See, Venters is a turn and drive pitcher but now his hips are flying open before he plants his right foot. That’s putting stress on his elbow and taking mph’s off his fastball because his rotation through the arm slot is not fluid. If he were a push and stride pitcher like a Nolan Ryan, this wouldn’t be an issue. Back when I was pitching, even catchers would pick up on this tendency. It’s too bad the Braves don’t have anyone who can coach Johnny through this mechanical breakdown. I saw it coming.
durrtydogg
July 5th, 2012
3:07 pm
The only issue I have with Fredi is the lineup. He has made some bad decisions and it has cost us games. But honestly, this team has to play better. You cant blame him for McCann, Uggla, and Freeman struggling. You cant blame him for not bringing in runners when we have the bases loaded with no or one out. You cant fault him for our team taking the lead and in the next inning give it right back. The fact remains this team is just not playing good, consistent baseball. When they get 3 or 4 runs behind, the game is virtually over. Its just no fight.
We need a game changer on offense and a reliable ace on the pitching staff. But where do you put the bat? Freddi is not going anywhere. Uggla is not, nor is McCann. Chipper is here for the year and you cant put anyone in the outfield. So what can you do? These guys have to hit and come up clutch or you can mark this season down as a complete failure.
Tenaciousdx
July 5th, 2012
3:08 pm
i just think the league has figured him out. He can’t/doesn’t throw strikes. Simple approach really; Just stand there and watch until he has to throw fastball down the middle.
bostonbravo
July 5th, 2012
3:09 pm
“Frank Wren” thanks. No, don’t want any part of Glaus…maybe “Brooksie” is available?? Straight trade Brooksie for “SIMMY” and if it gets sticky toss in “BOURNY”.
BTW…Podres is dead. But they are doing great work in human reanimation.
Greg Norton
July 5th, 2012
3:09 pm
I’m available if you guys need me
Freddie G
July 5th, 2012
3:09 pm
We practiced bunting one time in spring training- let’s not overdue it! If Hinske ever gets another hit, you’ll be eating your words. I think I might bench Simmons, and run Jack Wilson out there!
bravesgrl4life
July 5th, 2012
3:15 pm
Okay, just got to address this: Freddie is FREEMAN. Gonzales is FREDI. Get your Fred’s right, please.
Jose
July 5th, 2012
3:15 pm
impingement is code word for possible tommy john surgery
Freddie G
July 5th, 2012
3:17 pm
To Greg Norton- get down to the stadium tonight. I’ll run you out there! Didn’t you hit .103 your last year, but Bobby kept running you out there, didn’t he? You remind me of Hinske, except you stunk from both sides of the plate!
Freddie G
July 5th, 2012
3:20 pm
If I don’t know better than to keep “running” Minor out there, how do you expect me to get my Freddies straight! If Greg Norton gets down to the park tonight, I’ll bench Freeman, and put Norton on first. Then I’ll have him hit next to McOut and Struggla- what do you think of that Murderers row!?
Jason's Sweet Cheeks
July 5th, 2012
3:23 pm
The whole d…./ team STINKS. Sell them all.
Frank Wren
July 5th, 2012
3:24 pm
I’m thinking about trading Prado for Nate McClouth- agree or disagree? Freddie wants to run McClouth out there and bench Bourn.
Jason's Sweet Cheeks
July 5th, 2012
3:27 pm
@Frank Wren It makes no difference what you do. This team is DONE. They STINK.
Jason's Sweet Cheeks
July 5th, 2012
3:27 pm
@Frank Wren It makes no difference what you do. This team is DONE. They STINK.
jt
July 5th, 2012
3:28 pm
DOB::Full of BS
Larry B
July 5th, 2012
3:28 pm
Elbow impingement typically occurs due to activities that excessively or repetitively straighten the elbow (hyper-extension ) often in combination with a sideways (valgus) force. This may occur suddenly, due to a specific incident involving a hyper-extension force, or, more commonly, due to repetitive strain associated with overuse (such as repetitive throwing).
This from: http://www.physioadvisor.com.au/
Seems to me that it should have been noticed if he was hyper-extending his elbow enough (times) to be harmful, but I’m no pitching coach, pitcher, or doctor.
Leonard
July 5th, 2012
3:30 pm
Am I the only person in Atlanta that wonders how in the world Dan Uggla could make the all-star team much less as a starter. I have to believe it was not the Atlanta fans who voted him in. Are the fans in other cities so blind they do not check stats before voting. He should do the right thing and op out and let Bourn or Prado take his place. Make some kind of excuse that he is hurting or something. Can’t believe our hitting instructors can not convince him to slow his swing down a bit just to make contact. He might overall be one of the worst 2nd basemen we have ever had here. Am I the only one who thinks this way?
jt
July 5th, 2012
3:33 pm
Leonard : No your not! Gotta be blind,deaf, and dumb not to see howbad he is. Hope he does not bring shame on Atlanta with his usual performance. Really Sucks!!!
fordcobra
July 5th, 2012
3:35 pm
Hate to say it but, Fredi has no clue what’s going on.
Ralph
July 5th, 2012
3:37 pm
Ryan Buchter, AA LHP might have been a better call up, 1.17 era, 2.79 vs LHP, .043 vs RHP, 36 SO14 BB over 30 ip this season, even so need to keep an eye on this 25 year old.
rhaiz r blaide
July 5th, 2012
3:40 pm
Right on Leonard at 3:30 – - Since Uggla’s hitting streak ended last August He’s not even close to any kind of an All Star……Don’t get me wrong — I like the guy —- Liked him w/the marlins but he’s shouldn’t be an All Star
bustersonly
July 5th, 2012
3:46 pm
Strictly a face saving move by Fruti and Wren, they both should be fired immediately!
MD Braves fan
July 5th, 2012
3:46 pm
Terry Pendleton will begin his stint as interim Manager on Monday.
Go Jackets
July 5th, 2012
3:48 pm
Hey Dave, what site was it that reported we had one of the BEST lineups but the WORST overall manager in the major leageus?
Rightfielder
July 5th, 2012
3:48 pm
I’m so tired of seeing Freddie Freeman hit ground balls and JOG to 1st base
bustersonly
July 5th, 2012
3:49 pm
Leonard
July 5th, 2012
3:30 pm
NO
panamajack
July 5th, 2012
3:52 pm
Well I was hoping these new blogs would be announcing Wren and FG’s firing, no such luck, back to Playboy TV.
Go Jackets
July 5th, 2012
3:52 pm
where da site dat say Freddi is the worst manager EVER?
jokurone
July 5th, 2012
3:55 pm
Bring back Leo he knows how to coach/manage pitchers!!
jt
July 5th, 2012
3:56 pm
Bourn must be thinking, how in the heck Uggla makes it and he doesn’t! He may double Uggla’s batting pct before the All Star game. Uggla is a prime example why the managers and players should pick, not the Stupid Fans.
bob
July 5th, 2012
4:00 pm
This is a nightmare!
FG and RMcD will ruin every young arm in the Braves organization. I cannot recall the last time the Braves lost so many arms in such a period of time.
I do blame management in two respects.
First, you cannot run a relief pitcher out there 80 times a year and expect the arm to survive.
Second, you cannot hold off on placing someone on the DL earlier rather than later. When a young arm is sore and the performance below par, the pitcher should be placed on the DL and the arm should be examined.
The bottom line is that FG and RMcD are driving this team and the ‘young guns’ into the ground.
Dump them before every young arm is ruined!
BRAVELESS
July 5th, 2012
4:02 pm
We can gripe all we want about FW and FG but as long as we continue to buy tickets they will not make any changes to the GM or manager positions. FG actually lied to the media last night about what was wrong with venters.
steve
July 5th, 2012
4:03 pm
Still would like to know why Medlen has not been put in the starting rotation as he would give us 6 plus innings on his starts which is what I thought we were looking for fromDelgado and Minor, also Uggla,McCann and Freeman need to start hitting like they are capable of or this team has no chance, as far as F.G. goes he proved how he has no clue in how to manage a team at the end of last season when they had a major collapse, his days are numbered as in my opinion F.Wren has gone out and made major moves to try and get us over the hump and our coaching staff has failed.
Dr Andrews
July 5th, 2012
4:03 pm
PMC
July 5th, 2012
2:57 pm
Ah yes, the old Elbow Impingement. Braves code for he needs a break.
Strange they didn’t do an MRI on him, haven’t called me yet.
Jason's Sweet Cheeks
July 5th, 2012
4:04 pm
Mickey mouse is available. I know Minnie. You want me to talk to her. Mickey has got to be better than Freddi
5th Grade Teacher
July 5th, 2012
4:05 pm
F. WREN + Freddie G. = Loosing
Should be “losing” -10 spelling.
bustersonly
July 5th, 2012
4:09 pm
steve
For once I agree with you, they bring Meds in in the 5th, 6th inning when the game is already lost, any pitcher would do in these situations.
chas
July 5th, 2012
4:11 pm
now! we need for struggla and mccant to fake an injury, then the braves will start winning
alanfalcon
July 5th, 2012
4:13 pm
Speaks volumes for Freddie and Rogers inability to manage the bullpen as well as the starters and just goes to show they don’t care about the physical well being or future of the young pitchers, a really pathetic show of what a real manager and coach should be about.
Larry B
July 5th, 2012
4:13 pm
Because the All-Star game is POPULAR VOTE and not the way it should be.
Larry B
July 5th, 2012
4:13 pm
Leonard…
Because the All-Star game is POPULAR VOTE and not the way it should be.
Jason's Sweet Cheeks
July 5th, 2012
4:13 pm
Enter your comments here
mark
July 5th, 2012
4:17 pm
I log on to AJCSPORTS 5 OR 6 times a day hoping to see the Braves have made a manager change. We are 6 back and sinking ,I see no way we will catch anybody with Fredi making one blunder after another.Prado to 2nd Constanza to left and Medlen and whoever for Minor and Delgato…NOW or never 6 back IS the point of no return Nats pitching will prevent them from slumping
bostonbravo
July 5th, 2012
4:18 pm
Frank Wren: hell yeah! McClouth may hold the key! Those occasional games we win these days could surely be losses with the Natester in the lineup.
BTW..The more we loose the loser my bowels get before bedtime. (Drinking to forget probably…just me and Mrs. Bobby C.
bustersonly
July 5th, 2012
4:25 pm
Do they use the seniority system when making call ups, Ryan Buchter at Miss has much better numbers than Avilan, both lefties?
bustersonly
July 5th, 2012
4:25 pm
Do they use the seniority system when making call ups, Ryan Buchter at Miss has much better numbers than Avilan, both lefties?
Jasons Sweet Buns
July 5th, 2012
4:29 pm
Hmmm..why isnt Flande recalled instead? Somethins brewing
Braves fan
July 5th, 2012
4:31 pm
I don’t care what the numbers say, Medlen is an excellent pitcher for us, and valuable because he can work two or three innings at a time. Maybe he would be better off starting an inning, but the guy is by far the best middle reliever we have.
Delbert D.
July 5th, 2012
4:38 pm
1. “Elbow impingement” – just Google it, and learn something.
2. “Uggla All-Star” – wise fans voted him in. Pretty much as wise as posters on AJC blogs.
3. Yeah, trade for Melky, right. Something about Turner field freaks him out.
nelson
July 5th, 2012
4:39 pm
The Cubs ARE THE WORST TEAM IN THE NL and WE CAN T BEAT THEM!!!!!!!!!!
Its disgraceful.
No. 1 Braves Fan
July 5th, 2012
4:41 pm
I don`t think it will be too long before all the Fredi and Wren bashers will
run out of anything different to say. Why don`t all of you just post “fire Fredi”
and let that be it. This man deserves a lot better than he gets from you people.
Delbert D.
July 5th, 2012
4:44 pm
From some of the comments on this blog, one would think that New Orleans has a major league baseball team.
wrestler
July 5th, 2012
4:45 pm
I say we put the whole darn roster on the DL, promote 6 from Double A, the remainder from Triple A and go from there. Then let’s sign the Cubs players and at least we have 2 wins in our pocket.
Jason's Sweet Cheeks
July 5th, 2012
4:46 pm
And just exactly would that be. For the life of me I just can’t think of a thing. Give him a cookie and a glass of milk and send him back to Cuba.
wrestler
July 5th, 2012
4:46 pm
Then we fire Fredi, go ahead and retire Chipper let him take over as manager and then they can all go out, chew tobacco and chase skirts…….
Yunel Asscobar
July 5th, 2012
4:52 pm
This just in – Fredi placed on DL with a “mental impingement.” It typically occurs due to activities that require excessively or repetitively making strategic decisions at the MLB level. It often results in a distant stare, inability to process in-game activity in a manner that allows for strategic response, and inane post game comments; e.g., tip your cap; run them out there; helluva; he pitched great apart from the 5 walks and 3 wild pitches. This may occur suddenly, due to a specific incident, like being in over your head.
bowman
July 5th, 2012
5:00 pm
Is placing Venters on the DL the only way the Braves can insist that Venters spend some time in the minors to regain his form? His poor mechanics have hurt him all season, finally leading to an injury. We might not be in this situation if the Braves had sent Venters down earlier.
Re: Kris Medlen: “Medlen … tied with Colorado’s Esmil Rogers for fifth-worst percentage of inherited runners stranded (53.3) among NL relievers.” Where did Medlen rank before the Braves’ brain-trust sent him to Gwinnett to “stretch out” with thoughts of turning him into a starter? Medlen hasn’t been as effective since his return to MLB, though I don’t have access to stats to support my speculation.
NORRIS CHUCK
July 5th, 2012
5:03 pm
WHEN ARE WE ALL GONNA BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT BRINGING IN SOME HITTERS????!!!
NORRIS CHUCK
July 5th, 2012
5:03 pm
WHEN ARE WE ALL GONNA BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT BRINGING IN SOME HITTERS????!!!
bc
July 5th, 2012
5:06 pm
I still can’t believe how many times Fredi uses the phrase “you know what” in his statements.
Braint
July 5th, 2012
5:09 pm
A fairly similar situation happened a few years ago with Chris Reitsma (sp). He was doing ery poorly and then they shut him down with an injury. He finally admitted that he’d been hurt for a while but covering it up. It will be interesting to see what Venters says…
Largo
July 5th, 2012
5:11 pm
One of the reasons Venters was so good last year. Batters kept swinging at his pitches in the dirt. They thought he had some kind of mojo on the ball. Well, he didn’t and he doesn’t. Now, they wait for him to bring the ball up and when it’s over the plate they cream it. When it isn’t they walk. He very seldom fools anyone anymore. When he gets them to swing at those low balls, he’s having a good day and impressing Fredi.
Skeezix
July 5th, 2012
5:34 pm
Thanks Dave. I am sure this has been frustrating for you. This explains a lot. Venters drop in performance has been perplexing. The big question is why wasn’t Braves management more forthright on this? And, why do you keep pitching a guy with his ability when you know he has an elbow impingement? I had a shoulder impingement once (now surgically repaired) and couldn’t stand to lift my arm because of the pain. I have no idea how one can pitch in the major leagues with an elbow impingement.
DaveinNEPA
July 5th, 2012
5:39 pm
I’ve suspected that Venters was injured for quite some time. It’s not normal for a guy to go from lights out to dreadful overnite.
What I would like to know (DOB should ask this) is who has been covering it up? Venters? Fredi? Wren? or all three?
Skeezix
July 5th, 2012
5:41 pm
The Braves really do have the look of a team that is coming apart. I hope it doesn’t happen, but the problems are everywhere–starting pitching lacks depth and consistency, bullpen’s ERA is climbing, holes in the offense (McCann and Uggla’s extended slumps and Freddie hasn’t been real productive since he hurt the finger), and defensive miscues…………..
C.W. in right
July 5th, 2012
5:43 pm
It’s not his heart that’s the problem. It’s his arm.
Patrick
July 5th, 2012
6:03 pm
Thought the DL was for physical injuries/issues, not mental problems.
Uncle Tom
July 5th, 2012
6:28 pm
Great news! Because if he was NOT hurt, then he’s just lost it. I’ve been saying all year long that he’s hurt. His fastball is 4-5 mphs slower than last year with less movement. So let’s get him fixed and ready to rumble again.
Leonard
July 5th, 2012
6:43 pm
If the Cubs are in fact the worse team in the NL and we can not beat them what does that make us?
Joe 12-Pack
July 5th, 2012
6:51 pm
“impingement”? Really?
gcs
July 5th, 2012
6:54 pm
If JV really was injured all this time, what good does it do to hide it?
If he didn’t know (somehow), why wasn’t he checked sooner?
Fail all around.
Ebenezer Snerdberg
July 5th, 2012
6:54 pm
Can we put Havana Fats on the 60 Day disabled list? Claim brain impingement?
GO BRAVES!
Profiler
July 5th, 2012
7:06 pm
A sudden DL trip is a bunch of hockey. He may be hurt, but it didn’t just develop.
He is a good young man, a fierce competitor, and a very good talent. I hope he is able to correct whatever it is that is the problem, sooner than later, for his benefit and the Braves. I just wish the Braves were a little more open with their fans.
Brave fan since 1966
July 5th, 2012
7:10 pm
OK Dave, we know how much pull you have with Wren. So, just pick up the phone, call him, and tell him to:
1. Get Greinke NOW!! Trade Pastornicky and Minor or Gilmartin
2. Trade McCann for a power hitting OFer (and call up Bethancourt)
3. Re-sign Bourn to a long term contract
4. Get rid of (I swing for the fences everytime) Uggla by any means possible
5. AND FIRE FREDI GONZALEZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cowdogit
July 5th, 2012
7:32 pm
I remember the first year McDowell was hired, Bobby Cox quoted that McDowell was the best pitching coach he had ever worked with. After not winning a division title for the first time in fourteen years Cox tried to justify why Mazzone left. The reason Cox retired was he new, without Mazzone he would never win another title. Most braves fans agree with Cox. It’s creepy that no one in the braves organization will mention Mazzone’s name. Kimbrel is next!!!
Larry
July 5th, 2012
8:55 pm
No. 1 Braves Fan,
Fredi “derserves?”
Help me with that one, as anyone with more than a double digit IQ knows Fredi is being richly paid for a mediocre result.?
Buzz 2011
July 6th, 2012
6:13 am
Move Uggla to the DL.. Move him anywhee…
jacket3
July 6th, 2012
10:49 am
“Come on Dude” – “Really?” – Classic. The cohunes to ask it is another matter.
Venters is a gamer. Any gamer will go all out, and Venters exudes that persona. Gonzo perhaps knew about his elbow perhaps not. I think they burned him out last year. Someone definitely did this year.
Braves Coaching has made many of the same missteps this season as last. We also have a lot of players that are playing injured – again. So there is a lot more to this story than everyone wants to disclose right now. Didn’t I read recently suggestions of a “Fire Sale? – Going out of Bidness?”
Also, have you guys noticed those former braves managing, and all of them seem to beat Freddie G every time they play each other? The Nats often come to mind!
Ken Stallings
July 6th, 2012
4:05 pm
Too many innings pitched last season. Overusing your bullpen is the surest way to take a well above average, even elite, bullpen and through attrition by injury turn it into a below average bullpen. The collapse last season was in part due to the games we won by running O’Flaherty, Venters, and Kimbrel out way too often in June through August. Now, two of those three pitchers are having health issues.
Alex
July 6th, 2012
4:50 pm
mr. wren, please ask marlins who is better former all star infante or current “all star” uggla. i did. they very thank full for the trade.