BASEBALL: BRAVES REPORT
Thursday, July 25, 2002
Outlook 'not good' for Lopez's return
Miami --- Unless his sore right shoulder feels a lot better by Friday, catcher Javy Lopez appears headed for the disabled list.
"He's not good," Braves manager Bobby Cox said Wednesday, a day after Lopez tested the shoulder with what the catcher conceded were tentative batting-practice swings along with some light throwing.
"I wasn't ready," said Lopez, who injured the shoulder making a throw Sunday at Philadelphia. "Just give me a few more days and see what happens. If I don't feel good Friday, we'll do what we have to do."
Henry Blanco caught all three games against Florida and went 4-for-12 with four RBIs, including a three-run homer in the first inning Wednesday.
"He looks good, man," said Cox, who praised Blanco's compact swing.
Lopez and the Braves had hoped that a cortisone injection and a few days of rest would enable him to avoid a stint on the DL and return for the Philadelphia series, which begins Friday at Turner Field.
While that's still a possibility, it appears a 50-50 proposition, at best.
If Lopez goes on the 15-day DL, catcher Steve Torrealba could be called up from Class AAA Richmond. Torrealba, 24, was batting .231 with two home runs and 16 RBIs in 55 games before Wednesday.
Richmond catcher Dax Norris, batting .253 with three homers and 19 RBIs in 56 games, isn't on the 40-man roster.
Freshly shorn Smoltz
Closer John Smoltz sported a fresh look after getting a buzz cut in Florida and having his full beard shaved, save for a Fu Manchu look.
"Got to feel younger," the 35-year-old joked. "The beard was hot. A bunch of us in the bullpen are wearing it like this. I like to have fun."
What's the look?
"Just a younger John Smoltz," he said, smiling. "Or Goose Gossage."
Cutting the hair had no effect on his performance in his first beardless appearance Tuesday. Smoltz had a nine-pitch ninth inning with two strikeouts en route to his major league-leading 37th save in 40 chances.
In 24 appearances since June 3, he has one win, a 1.48 ERA and 23 saves in 23 opportunities. He has allowed nine hits and seven walks with 35 strikeouts in 24 1/3 innings during that overpowering stretch.
"This guy still uses everything," Marlins manager Jeff Torborg said. "I've seen him use the slider, the split, the fastball. He's unbelievable."
The Marlins clocked his fastball at 98 mph and his splitter at 91 mph.
"I'm not going to worry about tomorrow or next year," said Smoltz, who confirmed his contract doesn't contain a reported agreement that he can return to starting at his whim. "It's a nonissue, it really is."
Facts and figures
Mike Remlinger, who leads major league relievers with a 1.29 ERA, has allowed seven hits and no earned runs in 23 innings over his last 20 road appearances. He's 7-0 with an 0.50 ERA in his last 36 appearances overall. . . . . Seven of the 10 RBIs came from the bottom three hitters in the order, including a double by Damian Moss, his second career hit. . . . . With the Braves off today, starter Jason Marquis will be skipped. Kevin Millwood is to face Phillies lefty Randy Wolf on Friday, followed by Greg Maddux vs. Joe Roa and Tom Glavine vs. Vicente Padilla.
Thursday, July 25, 2002
Outlook 'not good' for Lopez's return
Miami --- Unless his sore right shoulder feels a lot better by Friday, catcher Javy Lopez appears headed for the disabled list.
"He's not good," Braves manager Bobby Cox said Wednesday, a day after Lopez tested the shoulder with what the catcher conceded were tentative batting-practice swings along with some light throwing.
"I wasn't ready," said Lopez, who injured the shoulder making a throw Sunday at Philadelphia. "Just give me a few more days and see what happens. If I don't feel good Friday, we'll do what we have to do."
Henry Blanco caught all three games against Florida and went 4-for-12 with four RBIs, including a three-run homer in the first inning Wednesday.
"He looks good, man," said Cox, who praised Blanco's compact swing.
Lopez and the Braves had hoped that a cortisone injection and a few days of rest would enable him to avoid a stint on the DL and return for the Philadelphia series, which begins Friday at Turner Field.
While that's still a possibility, it appears a 50-50 proposition, at best.
If Lopez goes on the 15-day DL, catcher Steve Torrealba could be called up from Class AAA Richmond. Torrealba, 24, was batting .231 with two home runs and 16 RBIs in 55 games before Wednesday.
Richmond catcher Dax Norris, batting .253 with three homers and 19 RBIs in 56 games, isn't on the 40-man roster.
Freshly shorn Smoltz
Closer John Smoltz sported a fresh look after getting a buzz cut in Florida and having his full beard shaved, save for a Fu Manchu look.
"Got to feel younger," the 35-year-old joked. "The beard was hot. A bunch of us in the bullpen are wearing it like this. I like to have fun."
What's the look?
"Just a younger John Smoltz," he said, smiling. "Or Goose Gossage."
Cutting the hair had no effect on his performance in his first beardless appearance Tuesday. Smoltz had a nine-pitch ninth inning with two strikeouts en route to his major league-leading 37th save in 40 chances.
In 24 appearances since June 3, he has one win, a 1.48 ERA and 23 saves in 23 opportunities. He has allowed nine hits and seven walks with 35 strikeouts in 24 1/3 innings during that overpowering stretch.
"This guy still uses everything," Marlins manager Jeff Torborg said. "I've seen him use the slider, the split, the fastball. He's unbelievable."
The Marlins clocked his fastball at 98 mph and his splitter at 91 mph.
"I'm not going to worry about tomorrow or next year," said Smoltz, who confirmed his contract doesn't contain a reported agreement that he can return to starting at his whim. "It's a nonissue, it really is."
Facts and figures
Mike Remlinger, who leads major league relievers with a 1.29 ERA, has allowed seven hits and no earned runs in 23 innings over his last 20 road appearances. He's 7-0 with an 0.50 ERA in his last 36 appearances overall. . . . . Seven of the 10 RBIs came from the bottom three hitters in the order, including a double by Damian Moss, his second career hit. . . . . With the Braves off today, starter Jason Marquis will be skipped. Kevin Millwood is to face Phillies lefty Randy Wolf on Friday, followed by Greg Maddux vs. Joe Roa and Tom Glavine vs. Vicente Padilla.
