Sports Page Atlanta

No, neither is a trade involving Mark Teixeira or Will Ohman, but the Atlanta Braves did make two roster moves over the past two days. On Monday, they designated RP Vladimir Nunez for assignment, and activated RP Rafael
Soriano off of the DL. Tuesday, the Braves activated UTIL Omar Infante from
the DL, shipping SS Brent Lillibridge to AAA Richmond.

In a road trip, those are the first two, of what could be many impactful
roster moves. Still nothing regarding Teixeira or Ohman, but don’t be
surprised if one or both is gone by the end of the week.

It wasn’t enough for Atlanta’s best reliever and closer, Rafael Soriano, to go on the disabled list, but now, the Braves new closer and second best reliever, Peter Moylan, is headed to the DL as well, and this injury may be more serious than originally believed.

Two weeks into the season, the Braves’ two best relief pitchers are on the disabled list with balky right elbows. And there’s some concern that one of them, setup man Peter Moylan, could be out quite a while.

He joined closer Rafael Soriano on the DL Tuesday, and Moylan is scheduled to see renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham on Wednesday for a second opinion.

Moylan was diagnosed with a strained elbow, a general term that could cover a broad range of ailments. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam done in Atlanta showed irregularities that could indicate a serious injury.

It’ll be closer by committee until either Soriano or Moylan get back. Or could Mike Gonzalez return from Tommy John surgery to be the Braves closer?

photo credit: sluggerwv

Everyone knew that the Braves had to make a roster move in order for Chuck James to make his scheduled start on Wednesday in Colorado. Due to impending inclement weather, the Braves waited till the very last minute to make the move in case Wednesday’s and/or Thursday’s game gets postponed. Well, when they finally made the move, it was a BIG one. Closer Rafael Soriano, still bothered by elbow tendinitis that has bothered him since spring training, has been placed on the 15-day DL. On a team that has seen the likes of Chris Reitsma, Bob Wickman and Dan Kolb closing games over the last few years, Soriano was supposed to calm worries this season for Braves fans. As it turns out, it appears that there is going to be even more uncertainty at the back-end of the bullpen yet again. Peter Moylan and Manny Acosta figure to get most of the save opportunities during Soriano’s absence.

The pitcher’s duel we were promised between John Smoltz and Johan Santana lived up to its billing on Sunday, as Smoltz led the Braves to a 3-1 win over the Mets, finishing off the short, two-game sweep. Smoltz went five innings, giving up zero runs and striking out six, en route to his first victory of the year. Smoltz’ ailing shoulder did stiffen up a bit after the fifth, and the veteran pulled himself out of the game strictly as a precautionary measure. He is not expected to miss his next start.

Leading 1-0 in the bottom of the eighth, Mark Teixeira took Mets’ RP Aaron Heilman deep for a two-run shot, giving the Braves a little insurance.which they would need. In the top of the 9th, Rafael Soriano had already given up one run, and had two on and two outs with the go-ahead run at the plate. Brian Schneider ripped a ball down the first base line. Teixeira, who was a gold glove 1B in the AL with the Rangers, laid out to prevent the game-tying double, and flipped it to Soriano covering, to seal the win.

With the win, the Braves move into a first place tie in the NL East after the first week of play (as I predicted), and will embark on a 10-day road trip that takes them to Colorado, Washington, D.C., and Florida.
photo credit: bangart

2007 was a breakout year for 29-year-old Aussie reliever, Peter Moylan. He threw 90 innings for the Braves and recorded a 1.80 ERA while notching 5 wins and a save. He’s become the go-to set-up guy for Rafael Soriano and Bobby Cox says very positive things about him.

“You could use him to get out of a jam in the fifth or sixth or put him in the eighth,” Cox said. “I wouldn’t have any problem putting him in the ninth. A guy like that is valuable. He had a sensational year, just sensational.”

In 7.2 spring relief innings, Moylan has struck out 5, walked 4 and posted a 1.17 ERA. Moylan seems to be right on track towards a repeat performance in 2008.

John Smoltz and Rafael Soriano both made their spring debuts on Saturday and neither were overpowering in an 11-10 loss to Tampa Bay.

Smoltz pitched 4.2 innings and gave up 3 earned runs while striking out four and walking two.

“All and all, I’m very satisfied,” said Smoltz, who threw 33 strikes in 46 pitches in four innings, before 12 balls in a 22-pitch fifth. “I threw strikes all day until I didn’t get a couple of close calls and walked those guys.”

Before the fifth, Smoltz had only allowed two singles.

“Smoltz was really good,” said Cox, who replaced him after Carlos Pena’s two-run homer, a fly aided by both the elements and Josh Anderson, the left fielder who leaped and had the ball bounce off his glove and over the fence.

Soriano pitched a complete inning and gave up two hits and didn’t strike out or walk anyone.

Closer Rafael Soriano also made his Grapefruit League debut Saturday, allowing consecutive singles to begin the sixth inning against Tampa Bay before retiring the next three on a popup, line out to right and fly to center.

“Alright for the first time out,” Cox said of Soriano, who had been sidelined by a stomach virus early and a sore pitching elbow lately.

The right-hander threw 16 strikes in 23 pitches, and Cox was pleased Soriano threw hard (94 mph on two pitches) but didn’t try to throw as hard as he could.

We’ve known all week that Rafael Soriano was scheduled to appear at some point, but now we know for sure, that it’ll be Saturday. Dave O’Brien wrote on his blog today that Smoltz and Soriano will make their spring debuts together, tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow, we have a Rafael Soriano appearance on the docket. Yes, release the pigeons, for the Braves closer is set to make his Grapefruit League debut tomorrow. He’s not pitched all spring because of a sore elbow (and a stomach virus of some kind).

That means Soriano and Smoltz will likely make their spring debuts in the same game, assuming Soriano pitches in the home split-squad game vs. Tampa Bay instead of the road game against Houston. (Jair Jurrjens is scheduled to start against the ‘Stros.)