Late moves, better batting can make Braves a contender

Some late roster additions and emerging bats have the Atlanta Braves looking like a contender again this year, though most experts are picking them third or fourth in the NL East race. Despite the lack of huge offseason moves, GM Frank Wren has quietly assembled a strong all-around squad with player health again likely to be the only obstacle between the Braves and the playoffs.

Late Moves, Energized Bats Have Braves Looking Like a Contender Again

Avoiding Injuries Again Key to Braves’ Pitching Success

The Atlanta Braves' roster is a virtual rerun of last year's team, so it's no surprise that the team will likely rise or fall on the strength of a similar situation: the health of a pitching staff prone to injury.

The Braves are known for having a solid pitching staff year after year, augmented with a few good, consistent bats on offense. This has been their key to success for two decades now. Unfortunately, as in the case of last season, it has increasingly become a contributing factor in their inability to lockup a playoff position.

Avoiding Injuries Again Key to Braves’ Pitching Success

Braves should start Simmons over Pastornicky at shortstop

The battle for the next Atlanta Braves starting shortstop is currently being waged in spring training by two 22-year-old rookies, projected starter Tyler Pastornicky and the oncoming Andrelton Simmons.

At the beginning of spring training, it looked as if the starting job at shortstop, recently vacated by Alex Gonzalez, who signed a free-agent deal with the Milwaukee Brewers, belonged to heralded minor leaguer Tyler Pastornicky. However, the recent emergence of fellow rookie shortstop Andrelton Simmons has shaken up the outlook for the 2012 Braves starting lineup.

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Braves Should Start Simmons Over Pastornicky at Shortstop

Chipper We Love You, But It's Time to Quit

Longtime Atlanta Braves superstar third baseman Chipper Jones said that he is unsure if he can make it through this year playing for Atlanta.

"I've said it a million times, it's hell getting old," Jones told the Atlanta Journal Constitution. "I don't know if I can make it through this year."

Chipper, who turns 40 years old next month, has a contract through this year that provides a player option next year if he meets certain goals. After talking about retirement last year, Jones is currently playing in an option year that is paying him $14 this year in guaranteed money.

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Chipper Jones Talks Quitting -- and He Should

Braves' Freeman Insists He's Ready to Play After Injury

Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman says he feels fine despite an early spring training injury, and Braves fans hope that last season's Rookie of the Year runner-up is back on track. Freeman, who will be counted on as a big part of the Braves' offense this year, suffered a partially dislocated right kneecap during a fielding drill on Feb. 28.

"My knee feels great now," Freeman told the Atlanta Journal Constitution, insisting that he's ready to move on and start playing baseball. Freeman hit .282 in his rookie year, with 21 home runs and 76 RBIs in 157 games, a season that saw him barely losing out to teammate Craig Kimbrel for NL Rookie of the Year.

Braves' Freeman Insists He's Ready to Play After Injury

Braves deal with Hanson wreck on first day of spring training

After a season filled with injuries in 2011, the last thing the Atlanta Braves wanted to deal with is more of the same this year. 

Unfortunately, that is exactly how things started off when pitcher Tommy Hanson wrecked his car driving to the first meeting of spring training. Hanson said that he blew a tire rounding a curve in the one-car accident.

Hanson's wreck occurred around 7 a.m. Monday and the star pitcher still made it to a morning team meeting, although he was sent to the hospital immediately afterward to be checked out for a possible concussion. 

The first spring training workout for pitchers and catchers was scheduled for 10 a.m., but Hanson was on his way to the doctor by then. 

Injury-weary Braves Deal with Hanson’s Wreck on First Day of Spring Training

Hanson wrecks car on first day of spring training

Tommy Hanson and the Braves got a scare Monday morning when the pitcher drove off the road in a one-car accident that left him with a possible concussion. The Braves were awaiting test results.

The incident occurred at about 7 a.m., three hours before the Braves’ first spring-training workout for pitchers and catchers at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports on the edge of Disney World outside Orlando.

Hanson wrecks car on first day of spring training