Jurrjens suddenly has chance to rescue his career, Braves
Jair Jurrjens will be back on the mound for the Braves in Boston on Friday. (Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
(Updated: 7 p.m.)
There is a scene in the movie Bull Durham when Crash Davis learns he is close to breaking the minor league home run record. Because a minor-league record generally isn’t something a professional athlete embraces, Crash asks that the pursuit be kept quiet (and the fact he eventually hooks up with Susan Sarandon really has nobody feeling sorry for him, anyway).
Well, here’s the good news for Jair Jurrjens: He will return to the big leagues long before any Triple A record is within his reach and, in his words, “I’m not planning to come back here.”
Jurrjens is expected to pitch one or two innings for the Gwinnett Braves on Tuesday night. Then he’ll join the organization that pays his major league salary in time for a Friday start at Boston.
Unfortunately, Jurrjens couldn’t make it out of Lawrenceville before being included in the Gwinnett team photo. Or the set of team player cards now on sale at Coolray Field. (Posters advertising the $10 pack feature Jurrjens.)
“I’ve got my card,” Jurrjens said, smiling. “I’m going to add it to my collection.”
This is not the same guy who two and a half weeks ago battled a virus that leveled him for several days, decided to pitch anyway (with disastrous results) and wondered aloud if the Braves had written him off. He felt blindsided when the Braves sent reliever Kris Medlen to Gwinnett to work on his arm strength for a potential transition back to starter – effectively leap-frogging Jurrjens.
“I understand it’s a business, and they need to do what they need to do,” Jurrjens said a few weeks ago. “But you have feelings, and it hurts when you feel like you’re not wanted somewhere.”
A poster advertising the set of Gwinnett Braves' trading cards features Jurrjens.
Much has changed. Jurrjens’ legs feel stronger. The velocity on his pitches is back up. He is coming off two strong starts since the sick night meltdown (10 runs, six earned, 12 hits in 4 2/3 innings). He is happy to get another chance with the Braves but disappointed by the circumstances (Brandon Beachy’s elbow injury). But at least he knows he’s back on the organization’s radar.
“No matter what you achieve in your career, there are always going to be times when you go through struggles,” Jurrjens said. “It was tough, but a lot of positive things came out of this journey.”
Does he regret his words? Not really.
“I wasn’t trying to say it was the Braves fault,” he said. “I knew I didn’t pitch well. Some friends said next time I want to say something, just try not to insult anybody. But I wasn’t trying to blame anybody. If somebody took it the wrong way, I’m sorry.”
He has read and heard the criticism.
“Those things motivate me even more,” he said. “It’s not like my career has been easy. I was a free agent from Curacao.”
Point taken.
In his last two starts, Jurrjens allowed two runs in six innings to Lehigh Valley and took a shutout into the sixth against Columbus before allowing a grand slam. (“I made one bad pitch out of 110 and it cost me four runs.”)
Is he the same pitcher who went 12-3 with a 1.83 ERA in the first half last season? No. But he believes he can get there again. So does Gwinnett pitching coach Marty Reed, who has seen improvement in the pitcher’s strength, mechanics and confidence.
Reed said Jurrjens “was pressing” when he first arrived in Gwinnett. “We had to tell him, ‘This is not going to be a short fix.’”
The June 1 start against Charlotte fed criticism. But some either didn’t know the background or didn’t care. Jurrjens shouldn’t have pitched that night because of a stomach virus so bad that even two days later, when he tried to play catch, “I had to stop after 10 pitches because I got dizzy.”
So why pitch?
“The game before that I pitched so good, and I didn’t want to lose that feeling,” Jurrjens said.
Reed took that night as a positive sign.
“The results didn’t work out, but when you’re in the trenches you want guys who are willing to [play] when they’re not 100 percent,” he said.
Jurrjens said he’ll “just try to have fun” against Boston and not put too much pressure on himself.
“It’s not like I haven’t done this before,” he said.
He hopes this was just a detour.
By Jeff Schultz
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163 comments Add your comment
Walker, Texas Ranger
June 18th, 2012
11:40 am
JJ could rescue the Braves! Then the Braves are in trouble.
bulldogbubba
June 18th, 2012
11:41 am
Is it time for Leo to return? Seems he could help struggling pitchers back in his day.It is time for some changes. We can hope for the bus to keep rolling but if the wheels fall of in the process we will be left behind. GO BRAVES!!!
bobby
June 18th, 2012
11:42 am
It will take more than Jurgens to help this team. You can’t win if you can’t score runs and the last time they scored Lassie was still a pup. It also doesn’t help to have a manager making dumb decisions/
Walker, Texas Ranger
June 18th, 2012
11:43 am
To answer your last quetion. I expect to see the mediocre JJ that should have been traded as soon as he had some value but now fits in with the collection of #4 pitchers and .250 hitters without a clutch bone in their collective bodies.
Walker, Texas Ranger
June 18th, 2012
11:46 am
Only Player the Braves have is at leadoff and he has been neutered on the bases by the manager. Prado is so ‘not’ clutch. Chipper and Freeman hurt and the rest are average to below hitters at .250 or below. Simmons is a ray of hope though.
Just the Facts
June 18th, 2012
11:50 am
Game Changer gets my vote for dork of the day. Baseball is a weird game. Sometimes it’s the opposite of what you think or expect so I’m guessing JJ will be highly motivated & provide some respectable help. If not got to go to Med & get him out of the pen. Hope Beach is not a TJ situation. When you don’t have enough studs due to payroll restrictions this is what you get when you hit the skids & not enough superstars to carry the load. A big chunk of our payroll stays hurt all of the time thus the mediocrity. Wren assumes everyone is going to have career years & everything go right. When it doesn’t there’s not enough talent to fall back on.
yep
June 18th, 2012
11:54 am
I’m guessing he’ll be somewhere in between the 1st half of last year and what he’s been since. I think he’ll want to prove a point and he won’t worry about his knee. he’ll just go out there bring it.
old scout
June 18th, 2012
11:56 am
The people who claim that other teams want JJ don’t live in reality. At this stage ( and even last year during his lucky stretch) nobody wants him. If Braves could unload that contract they would do it in a heartbeat. Red Sox must be salivating at a chance to see some high school fastballs from JJ.
Everybody on here who realizes that Fredi is not competent to manage this team is exactly right.
Larry
June 18th, 2012
11:56 am
Thank you Jeff. I believe they need to send Fredi down for some tuning and promote Dave…after the blunders he did yesterday. He might as well have waved the run in himself (balk)…minor league mistake.
Game Changer
June 18th, 2012
11:58 am
@justthefacts
Wow, you start off calling me a name and that baseball is a wierd game and then claim our eyes lie because it is opposite and continue going till a whole list of EXCUSES are made why we SUCK.
Now that is one great post just for facts
jjmartin
June 18th, 2012
12:05 pm
Jeff it never fails. Everytime you submit a piece it just justifies that you are no sports writer. You are more like an internet troll. With your pathetic blogs and bad voice.
Larry
June 18th, 2012
12:09 pm
jjmartin could have done w/o that. If you don’t like it, don’t read it. Some people have nothing better to do.
JK
June 18th, 2012
12:11 pm
This JJ thing is beginning to remind me of the Steve Avery situation. Started out looking like a perinnial Cy Young award winner. Then the velocity went slightly and he couldn’t stay healthy. Let’s hope JJ can regain his form. We need him!
jeffrey d
June 18th, 2012
12:17 pm
Thanks, Jeff. Welcome back!
Jeff
June 18th, 2012
12:25 pm
Hey JJ, how about you get somebody out and everyone in the Braves organization will “want” you. “It’s tough when you don’t feel wanted”. Give me a break.
Bill
June 18th, 2012
12:27 pm
If they’re is anyway Fredi can trade JJ he will to clear the books of that 5 million salary..are 3 million for last half but who in their right mind would do that trade.
Under Wren Braves have had to eat alot of MONEY!
Bill
June 18th, 2012
12:31 pm
Wonder if Fredi feels wanted?
Peter
June 18th, 2012
12:32 pm
What about Freddi’s … cause his silly moves are killing the Braves !
RPOLLARDREALTOR
June 18th, 2012
12:34 pm
Why is everyone being so hard on JJ? I get it, he got hurt last year after the allstar break. He still hasn’t gotten fully healthy. What’s everyone’s deal here. Cut the guy some slack. He shouldn’t even be pitching he should be doing nothing but working out in the extended spring training. Anyone know where Chase Utley has been all year? Down here in Clearwater, FL working on getting healthy and stronger.
I agree with gamechanger. I live in Tampa, and the Braves should trade Bmac to the Rays. Would be great for both teams. Braves have a young stud coming up in the farm that should be ready by next season and the Rays haven’t had a catcher since I’ve lived down here. Would be a great trade for both teams if the Braves can get 2 solid prospects so hopefully atleast one of them will turn out to be a major league player.
Let's Go
June 18th, 2012
12:35 pm
The Braves still control Jair since he still has another year of arbitration so if he pitches like the pitcher he was last year they probably will keep him around next year. I still believe Roger McDowell is 90% of these pitchers problems because there is no way you can have a team where so many guys just lose it and forget how to pitch. Veterans sometimes lose their velocity and no longer have it but other than Derek Lowe (who was never a flame thrower) the Braves guys are basically young pichers which leads you to think it’s mechanical issues and that is where the pitching coach needs to be able to identify the problem and offer up fixes.
French Fries from KFC
June 18th, 2012
12:35 pm
Extra ketchup please……Or is it catsup?
Mister Frisky
June 18th, 2012
12:42 pm
Hey Schultz!How is that standing pat looking now.You know nothing!
Tana
June 18th, 2012
12:46 pm
The team is hitting. They aren’t scoring runs. As far as hitting they are hitting very very well. They consistently are upwards towards 10 hits a game. They just need to get those runners in instead of wiping them out or wasting them.
bvilebaron
June 18th, 2012
12:52 pm
Good luck, JJ. Some of us haven’t forgot how good you were for 3 plus years before the knee injury.
Ted M
June 18th, 2012
12:52 pm
Jeff – You’re back…did you get me a souvenir ?
stump21
June 18th, 2012
12:55 pm
tell me why it takes a pitcher giving up 5 or 6 runs, 5 walks 10 hits, before what the Braves call a pitching coach goes to the mound for a talk. Or why when a opposing pitcher is struggling with control, we swing early in the count. do they even care about winning anymore???
Turtsnap
June 18th, 2012
1:00 pm
Unless Jair can hit too, we are no better off. This team is anemic
ACE
June 18th, 2012
1:04 pm
Why won’t these Harley Riders call Fredi out?
Kentavo
June 18th, 2012
1:09 pm
How about predictions for number of missiles that dent – or go over – the Green Monster?
Ted M
June 18th, 2012
1:16 pm
Jeff – Is there a chance that this Friday start is an audition for a Boston Red Sox trade?
Ted M
June 18th, 2012
1:18 pm
My prediction… Jair goes 7 innings and gives up 4 runs and gets a no decision but the Braves win.
iTiSi
June 18th, 2012
1:26 pm
Some of you on here have your venom misdirected. Jeff Schultz is the only one who has really been calling the Braves out and telling it like it is. He is not in the same category with MB and DOB. Check the listings on the righthand side of his column and go back and read the ones from May26 and May29. Some have a very short memory. Both articles are good and right on but the one I especially like is “May29-Braves Crumble at First Sign of Adversity Just Like 2011″. I don’t know but those two columns may have gotten JS banned from the clubhouse. Anyway, it was the truth, and STILL IS!!!!!
Ozzie
June 18th, 2012
1:27 pm
Just getting a hit (BA) is good but winning is about RBIs, small ball and hitting in the clutch to win games.
This team struggles with the latter. They either blow out or feast on bad pitching or score nothing.
They continue to be bipolar at the plate, W-L and as players over all (sans Bourne, FF before the finger thing and Uggla)
It is bizarre how they can look like world beaters for a week and the a AAAA team the next.
Hillbilly D
June 18th, 2012
1:31 pm
Jurrjens suddenly has chance to rescue career, Braves
As Harry Caray used to say, “It’s an ill wind that doesn’t blow somebody, some good.”
mountain_jim
June 18th, 2012
1:32 pm
I also think Jeff should write a column on whether Fredi has been exposed as a poor strategist lately – the bloggers here collectively would have done much better.
DetroitBraves
June 18th, 2012
1:49 pm
Jurrjens was definitiely unlucky to start this year (and maybe not totally well physically) but even at full strength he’s not really as good as he looked in the first half last year. So I’ll vote for something in-between. Hoping for the best though.
DetroitBraves
June 18th, 2012
1:57 pm
Runs are a meaningful team stat. RBI, not so much. Neither are much of a stat for evaluating an individual hitter. And this clutch thing is kind of ridiculous. Even within this season the Braves have had stretches of hitting in the clutch and not. Do they alternate between knowing how to hit in the clutch and then forgetting? Better hitters will make less outs. Over time, their clutch hitting will regress to their overall batting line. It’s been shown over and over and over again. If the Braves are to have a better offense they simply need better hitters. That said, given they’ve scored the most runs in the division and third most in the league (second most if you adjust away Coors Field) I’m not convinced concerns with the run scoring side of the equation aren’t misplaced. But before any of you think I’m merely trying to be the contrarian out here, let me reaffirm our solidarity with this – fire Fredi!
BrandonLee49
June 18th, 2012
2:18 pm
It is Not about feelings, it’s about $$$. ASk Albert Pujols if it’s about Feelings… It insn’t…. Team Loyalty got Slit in the Throat by Curt Flood, when he opened Pangora’s box with the advent of Free Agency… So Since That Time, Feelings Ceased to Rule Basball, Players don’t give a D___ where they play, only how much $$$ they can exorcise out of the Owners and the Team they happen to be playing with… So Jair can’t claim any uniqueness in his dileema, it was conceded about 30+ years ago… and What did Curt Flood accomplish after leaving the Cardinals?, Not a D___ thing.. he was totally worthless…. Tommy Glavine can testify after being the “Player’s Rep” in this “Brave New World” Called THe Business of Baseball, Business destroys the Love of the Game Quicker than anything conceivable… SO May Jair Pitch Well, The H___ with any emotional Tags anyone tried to Attach ot it… It’s either Perform or Adios.
DetroitBraves
June 18th, 2012
2:33 pm
@BrandonLee49, do you really believe players stayed with a team prior to free agency because of “loyalty”? I have no issue whatsoever with a player being granted free agency. I’m not sure why as a human being they shouldn’t have more choice in where they live and where they work. Now, and this doesn’t really happen in baseball but it certainly does the NFL, I do have a problem with a player signing a contract and then regretting it later and threatening to hold out if the contract isn’t renegotiated. Personally, and I’m no lawyer, but that seems a breach to me. I wish clubs would hold them legally accountable. It’s not as if the club gets to decide – ‘oh you weren’t as good as we thought so we aren’t going to pay you as much’. Each side weighs the risk/benefits and off you go. Got to deal with whatever happens next and ride it out.
Harpie
June 18th, 2012
2:38 pm
I hope Jurrgens comes back and pitches like an All Star and then tells all the haters to shove it!
Phil Suckalewski
June 18th, 2012
2:44 pm
First.
Michael Ruffin
June 18th, 2012
2:45 pm
Can he hit? Can he drive in runs? If not, then no, he can’t save the Braves…
Coach (2012 Fredi's Beisbol Fandango)
June 18th, 2012
2:47 pm
Pitching isn’t the Braves problem right now, in spite the injury to Beachy. Their offense has gone to the dogs, as in eaten and crapped all over the Turner field grass.
So unless they start scoring…….no amount of pitching will help.
Phillisux
June 18th, 2012
2:53 pm
A healthy Jurrjens is one of the best young pitchers in MLB. Whether or not he is healthy is the key issue.
AlanFalcon
June 18th, 2012
2:58 pm
Well the Braves have answered his question about being wanted an the door is wide open for him to come back and show them he can get the job done-up to him now!
jerry
June 18th, 2012
3:00 pm
So Jurrjens got his widdle feelings hurt. Get over it or take up truck driving.
Bobbymahlon
June 18th, 2012
3:05 pm
If my memory serves me correctly Hanson also has Boras as an agent. If I’m right you can forget about Hanson when he becomes a free agent.
GStateBen
June 18th, 2012
3:08 pm
9 starts at Gwinnett, JJ is 3-4 with a 5.27 ERA and 1.42 WHIP. Those numbers would be last, next to last and tied for from the current starting rotation (only Minor has a worse ERA at 6.01).
This guy is having the worst year of his career at the worst possible time for the team and his own long term future.
JeanE
June 18th, 2012
3:10 pm
If that is true about JJ being so sick and still pitching and being left in, no wonder his results were awful! He always seemed like a great guy, I wish him well in his Boston start but it is alot of pressure, here is his chance to prove he can still compete at the big league level. Need to get this offense going, pitching has been pretty good, no runs being scored! I detest the Yankees, come on guys, show some Braves pride.
Bobbymahlon
June 18th, 2012
3:11 pm
My boy Prado is back to his old tricks taking the first two strikes and then guarding the plate swinging at bad pitches. When I did a little survey of thirteen games when he was behind the count he batted .250 and when he was not behind the count he hit .451. I understsnd that he feels comfortable hitting with two stikes but it does not look like it when you watch him struggle.