Friday, February 24, 2006
Notes: Veterans trying to hang on
02/18/2006
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Many players come to Spring Training to compete for roster spots and playing time. Brian Jordan and Eddie Perez have arrived in Braves camp looking to prove their playing careers haven't reached an end.
Although both Jordan and Perez missed most of the 2005 season and had offseason surgery, the Braves signed the likable duo to Minor League deals and invited them to camp. Given a chance to audition, the veterans now must make the most of their opportunity.
"If I knew I couldn't compete at the level these young guys are competing, I'd be sure to give it up," said Jordan, who will celebrate his 39th birthday on March 29. "I wouldn't waste my time. But I feel like I still have a lot to offer."
While doctors surgically repaired Jordan's troublesome left knee on Nov. 15, they found a completely torn meniscus. The veteran outfielder, who missed almost all of July and August last season, has since been able to rebuild strength in his left leg. He feels he can return to full health and earn regular playing time in left field.
Jordan arrived in camp on Saturday and is permitted to workout with pitchers and catchers because he's rehabbing.
"Now I've got a chance to play Brian Jordan baseball again," said Jordan, who hit .247 in 231 at-bats last year. "I'm excited. I've just got to come out here and keep on it. I can't come out here and try to be hero these next couple weeks."
Braves manager Bobby Cox knows left-handed hitters Ryan Langerhans and Kelly Johnson are capable of manning left field. But he's willing to take a look at the right-handed Jordan and see if he could possibly be used in a platoon at that position.
"He can help, if we get him back to normal," said Cox, who also has the option of using right-handed Matt Diaz in that platoon role.
While Jordan has felt the strength return to his left leg that that has bothered him each of the past three years, Perez knows it may take some time before his surgically repaired right shoulder is strong enough for him to resume his catching duties.
"I know I'm going to be OK," said Perez, who currently is throwing with approximately 50 percent of his arm strength. "But I don't know how long it's going to take to be OK."
When the Braves signed Perez, who will be 38 in May, to the Minor League contract, they provided a number of accommodating assurances. They told him if he proved healthy during camp, they'd help him get a job with another team looking for a big-league catcher. Todd Pratt is slated to serve as Atlanta's backup catcher.
The Braves also told Perez that they would allow him to play in their Minor League system, where he could continue to regain his strength and also provide leadership to the younger players. Many believe he will be a big-league manager in the near future.
If Perez, who had just one at-bat after the shoulder forced him to go on the disabled list on May 15 last year, finds his shoulder won't allow him to continue playing, the Braves have told him they'll give him a coaching spot in their Minor League organization.
"Eddie is one of those guys you want to keep around in the organization," Cox said. "I'd love to carry him on our bench if I could."
Because Perez began the season with the Braves, Cox was afforded that opportunity last year. It was one that provided dividends with the maturation of 22-year-old Brian McCann, who enters this season as Atlanta's starting catcher.
Perez's preference is to remain in the Braves organization either as a player or a coach. But he also wants to continue playing and is comfortable with the reality that he might have to go elsewhere.
"I would love to go to the Minor Leagues and play and wait for something to happen up here, because I don't want to go anywhere else," Perez said. "But if I'm ready, I'll go somewhere else in play."
Uncertainty regarding Boyer: In Blaine Boyer's mind, there's no doubt that he'll be healthy and ready to be a productive asset when the regular season begins. But Cox knows there's a chance the right-handed reliever won't be available on Opening Day.
"Right now, we can't count on him [being healthy]," Cox said of Boyer, who battled tendinitis in his right shoulder at the end of last season.
Boyer says he has regained almost all of his strength and is anxious to prove he's overcome the shoulder ailment. He is scheduled to throw off the mound for the first time on Feb. 26 and could possibly begin throwing in games on March 11.
"This is really the best I've felt in the past six months or seven months," Boyer said. "I feel great."
Early impressions: Chad Paronto and Jose Ascanio have emerged as the early favorites to earn a surprise spot on the Opening Day roster. Cox has been impressed with what he's seen from both of the right-handed pitchers.
Because he has some Major League experience with the Orioles and Indians, Paronto would be the more likely of the two to begin the year in Atlanta's bullpen. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound hurler allowed 40 hits and issued 19 walks in 39 1/3 innings with Triple-A Richmond last year. But Cox believes he could be productive as a double-play specialist, a role sinkerballer Kevin Gryboski held most of the previous four seasons.
"Paronto looks like Gryboski," Cox said. "He's got a really good sinker, with an even better slider."
As for the 21-year-old Ascanio, he could be in the Atlanta rotation within the next couple years. First he must overcome the back problems that limited him to just five games (three starts) at Class A Myrtle Beach last year. This will be just the fourth season in professional baseball for the young Venezuelan.
"You're going to like him, I think, a lot," said Cox, while pointing out that Ascanio has a live fastball and impressive curveball.
Braves bits: It appears there will be a good battle to win a spot as one of Atlanta's left-handed relievers. Cox has been impressed with Macay McBride, John Foster and Mike Remlinger, the top three candidates. ... Feeling better than he had while battling flu-like symptoms earlier this week, Chipper Jones hit in the batting cages on Saturday afternoon.
Source: http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Many players come to Spring Training to compete for roster spots and playing time. Brian Jordan and Eddie Perez have arrived in Braves camp looking to prove their playing careers haven't reached an end.
Although both Jordan and Perez missed most of the 2005 season and had offseason surgery, the Braves signed the likable duo to Minor League deals and invited them to camp. Given a chance to audition, the veterans now must make the most of their opportunity.
"If I knew I couldn't compete at the level these young guys are competing, I'd be sure to give it up," said Jordan, who will celebrate his 39th birthday on March 29. "I wouldn't waste my time. But I feel like I still have a lot to offer."
While doctors surgically repaired Jordan's troublesome left knee on Nov. 15, they found a completely torn meniscus. The veteran outfielder, who missed almost all of July and August last season, has since been able to rebuild strength in his left leg. He feels he can return to full health and earn regular playing time in left field.
Jordan arrived in camp on Saturday and is permitted to workout with pitchers and catchers because he's rehabbing.
"Now I've got a chance to play Brian Jordan baseball again," said Jordan, who hit .247 in 231 at-bats last year. "I'm excited. I've just got to come out here and keep on it. I can't come out here and try to be hero these next couple weeks."
Braves manager Bobby Cox knows left-handed hitters Ryan Langerhans and Kelly Johnson are capable of manning left field. But he's willing to take a look at the right-handed Jordan and see if he could possibly be used in a platoon at that position.
"He can help, if we get him back to normal," said Cox, who also has the option of using right-handed Matt Diaz in that platoon role.
While Jordan has felt the strength return to his left leg that that has bothered him each of the past three years, Perez knows it may take some time before his surgically repaired right shoulder is strong enough for him to resume his catching duties.
"I know I'm going to be OK," said Perez, who currently is throwing with approximately 50 percent of his arm strength. "But I don't know how long it's going to take to be OK."
When the Braves signed Perez, who will be 38 in May, to the Minor League contract, they provided a number of accommodating assurances. They told him if he proved healthy during camp, they'd help him get a job with another team looking for a big-league catcher. Todd Pratt is slated to serve as Atlanta's backup catcher.
The Braves also told Perez that they would allow him to play in their Minor League system, where he could continue to regain his strength and also provide leadership to the younger players. Many believe he will be a big-league manager in the near future.
If Perez, who had just one at-bat after the shoulder forced him to go on the disabled list on May 15 last year, finds his shoulder won't allow him to continue playing, the Braves have told him they'll give him a coaching spot in their Minor League organization.
"Eddie is one of those guys you want to keep around in the organization," Cox said. "I'd love to carry him on our bench if I could."
Because Perez began the season with the Braves, Cox was afforded that opportunity last year. It was one that provided dividends with the maturation of 22-year-old Brian McCann, who enters this season as Atlanta's starting catcher.
Perez's preference is to remain in the Braves organization either as a player or a coach. But he also wants to continue playing and is comfortable with the reality that he might have to go elsewhere.
"I would love to go to the Minor Leagues and play and wait for something to happen up here, because I don't want to go anywhere else," Perez said. "But if I'm ready, I'll go somewhere else in play."
Uncertainty regarding Boyer: In Blaine Boyer's mind, there's no doubt that he'll be healthy and ready to be a productive asset when the regular season begins. But Cox knows there's a chance the right-handed reliever won't be available on Opening Day.
"Right now, we can't count on him [being healthy]," Cox said of Boyer, who battled tendinitis in his right shoulder at the end of last season.
Boyer says he has regained almost all of his strength and is anxious to prove he's overcome the shoulder ailment. He is scheduled to throw off the mound for the first time on Feb. 26 and could possibly begin throwing in games on March 11.
"This is really the best I've felt in the past six months or seven months," Boyer said. "I feel great."
Early impressions: Chad Paronto and Jose Ascanio have emerged as the early favorites to earn a surprise spot on the Opening Day roster. Cox has been impressed with what he's seen from both of the right-handed pitchers.
Because he has some Major League experience with the Orioles and Indians, Paronto would be the more likely of the two to begin the year in Atlanta's bullpen. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound hurler allowed 40 hits and issued 19 walks in 39 1/3 innings with Triple-A Richmond last year. But Cox believes he could be productive as a double-play specialist, a role sinkerballer Kevin Gryboski held most of the previous four seasons.
"Paronto looks like Gryboski," Cox said. "He's got a really good sinker, with an even better slider."
As for the 21-year-old Ascanio, he could be in the Atlanta rotation within the next couple years. First he must overcome the back problems that limited him to just five games (three starts) at Class A Myrtle Beach last year. This will be just the fourth season in professional baseball for the young Venezuelan.
"You're going to like him, I think, a lot," said Cox, while pointing out that Ascanio has a live fastball and impressive curveball.
Braves bits: It appears there will be a good battle to win a spot as one of Atlanta's left-handed relievers. Cox has been impressed with Macay McBride, John Foster and Mike Remlinger, the top three candidates. ... Feeling better than he had while battling flu-like symptoms earlier this week, Chipper Jones hit in the batting cages on Saturday afternoon.
Source: http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/
