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Francoeur Back From Minors & More DL Misery
Written by Colin on July 7, 2008 – 1:35 pmJeff Francoeur is back from the minor leagues after three days, 13 at-bats, and 7 hits. He’s coming back to Atlanta today after a rash of injuries sent two pitchers and one position player to the DL. Manny Acosta, Jeff Bennett, and Omar Infante all went to the 15-day DL yesterday and Francoeur’s short stint in the minors is over.
Francoeur was hitting just .234 before he got sent to AA Mississippi for some work on his swing. He struck out looking last night – proof he’s at least being more patient down there. He’s had success too – he’s 7-13 (.538) with two RBIs and a triple. He’ll join the team in LA tonight for a game against the Dodgers.
Hopefully the short stint cured Francoeur of his slump. But was it too short? Did he need some more time to become comfortable with himself once again? Obviously we’re glad to see him back but the Braves need solid offensive contribution for some time from Frenchy.
What are your thoughts? Glad to see him back already?
As far as the other heading goes, it’s amazing to see how many new Braves go on the DL every week. It’s like opening the paper and finding a surprise….a surprise similar to finding out that you’re foot’s under a concrete block, you know the good kind. This rash of injuries is probably worse than 2005 when we had the first round of Baby Braves when guys like Mike Hampton, Time Hudson and Chipper Jones were gone for long stretches of the season.
The following is a list of people, how many times they’ve been on the DL and a little information about their stints:
- Chuck James (2) -James had some rotator cuff problems last year stemming from a partially torn muscle. The problem was probably caused by his delivery and the fact that his pitches are almost all shoulder and little to no body momentum.
- John Smoltz (3) – Recently headed to the DL with the problem that started in spring training. Rotator cuff and bicep inflammation and a torn labrum.
- Mike Hampton (1) – Where would we all be without our favorite DL dweller? Mike Hampton strained a pectoral muscle warming up in the cold weather early this year against Pittsburg and aggravated the injury in a rehab start. They are being more careful with him this time, but hope that 23rd time’s the charm for Hampton, let me also clarify that we are not counting on him, just anything we get out of Hampton would be a bonus.
- Rafael Soriano (2) -Had a few appearances before going down with elbow tendonitis, came back in time to blow a save in Cincinnati and save another game before going down again.
- Peter Moylan (1) – Going in for a TJ
- Tom Glavine (2) – His return to the Braves was fairly short lived. Glavine strained a hammy in Washington and then tore a flexor tendon in his hand. No surgery required, but these are Glavine’s first two DL stints of his career.
- Martin Pardo (1) – Out for six weeks and just returned last week with a thumb sprain when he slid into a base the wrong way.
- Omar Infante (2) – Broke his hand in a fall ball game when he was hit by a pitch. He strained his hamstring in June but did not go on the DL, came back and pulled it again and is now on the “dreaded list” for the second time this season.
- Brayan Pena (1) – Mild-back sprain, I think there were so many injuries around this time that I forgot what happened. The Braves released him as soon as he was healthy, unfortunately.
- Buddy Carlyle (1) – Neck strain when he was run into at Washington.
- Matt Diaz (1) – Still out with a partially torn knee ligament he sustained when crashing into the unpadded part of the outfield wall making a catch.
- Mark Kostay (1) – His back acted up, an injury he sustained last year and had surgery for. This year he was out about five weeks with the injury while he was doing well.
- Manny Acosta (1) – I know most of the Braves fans are probably happy about this, but remember that on regular rest and when he not being pressed to pitch every day, Acosta is one of our most effective set-up guys and pitched three scoreless innings in the 17 inning game against Houston before going down with the hamstring while running the bases.
- Jeff Bennett (1) – Partially separated shoulder sustained against the Astros on Saturday.
So there you have it, 20 DL stints, many to guys that are stars and not just role players. The fact that we are just six games out is more than amazing and we should just stop and think how good a job Bobby Cox has done keeping this team together.
Tags: Jeff Francoeur
Posted in Injuries, Roster Moves | 17 Comments »
By Josh on Jul 7, 2008 | Reply
Im guessing that the dogers pitching might be a little better than the pitching jeff saw in mississippi. Just Guessing!!!!!!!!!!
By Akshay on Jul 7, 2008 | Reply
Definitely, the thing is guys in the Majors typically throw more strikes with their offspeed pitches and Frenchy will have to adjust to that. One of the good things about sending him down was that he was able to get his head cleared and not press as much at the plate as well as some good instruction from Phillip Wellman, his former hitting coach of youtube ejection video fame.
By Colin on Jul 7, 2008 | Reply
Interesting to see if Francoeur has made some adjustments while down in Mississippi. Hopefully it was relaxing and he comes back ready to go. One thing I don’t want to see is Norton starting in left. We should keep him on the bench.
By Dan on Jul 7, 2008 | Reply
Vladamir Nunez and Brent Lillibridge will be the other two players coming to the Braves in this 3 player DL swap…ugh!
I think this is too soon for Francoeur, but it’s the only move that could be made really. Depth at the AAA level has just been obliterated. Time to make a trade or sputter around the .500 mark. Frank Wren has waited far too long in my opinion.
By Akshay on Jul 7, 2008 | Reply
Why not wait? We were 10 games out later than this in July in 1993 and won the division. The Braves have always been a second half team, at least give them a chance before we throw the season out the window.
By Colin on Jul 7, 2008 | Reply
All that and Francoeur isn’t actually starting? Maybe he didn’t actually make it to LA in time? I don’t know. That’s strange.
By Colin on Jul 7, 2008 | Reply
I like this Perry kid though – he grounded to second and sprinted to first like he was trying to score.
By Akshay on Jul 7, 2008 | Reply
They said he was late getting to LA, he would be there about an hour into the game and may get a pinch hit appearance.
As far as Perry goes, I wonder if they’re trying to show him off to other teams for a trade like a few people speculated about Brandon Jones or if it’s because he’s naturally a right fielder, but he’s been doing a good job defensively and does have good speed.
By Akshay on Jul 7, 2008 | Reply
I know this sounds weird, but in 2004, the Braves struck out 18 times in a game and then got a perfect game pitched against them and went on to win the division. How ironic and crazy would it be if it happened again? (Braves struck out 18 times in the 17 inning marathon on Sunday)
By Akshay on Jul 7, 2008 | Reply
I think I jinxed it, Tex just doubled in the eighth. Lets hope they can score some damn runs against this guy, let’s see a few homers.
By Susan W. from Mississippi on Jul 8, 2008 | Reply
I think Jeff needs to stay until the MLB All-Star Week concludes. I realize that is not much time because of MiLB Southern League All-Star Game timing. He needs to work on more of his hitting. He was robbed sincerly with his first home run/at bat with AA Mississippi. I think it is time to move past that bump in the road and continue focusing on his batting at the AA level. He was doing a good job at the AA level.
By Colin on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Interesting to see if Francoeur has made some adjustments while down in Mississippi. Hopefully it was relaxing and he comes back ready to go. One thing I don't want to see is Norton starting in left. We should keep him on the bench.
By Dan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Vladamir Nunez and Brent Lillibridge will be the other two players coming to the Braves in this 3 player DL swap…ugh!
I think this is too soon for Francoeur, but it's the only move that could be made really. Depth at the AAA level has just been obliterated. Time to make a trade or sputter around the .500 mark. Frank Wren has waited far too long in my opinion.
By Colin on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
All that and Francoeur isn't actually starting? Maybe he didn't actually make it to LA in time? I don't know. That's strange.
By Akshay on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
They said he was late getting to LA, he would be there about an hour into the game and may get a pinch hit appearance.
As far as Perry goes, I wonder if they're trying to show him off to other teams for a trade like a few people speculated about Brandon Jones or if it's because he's naturally a right fielder, but he's been doing a good job defensively and does have good speed.
By Akshay on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I think I jinxed it, Tex just doubled in the eighth. Lets hope they can score some damn runs against this guy, let's see a few homers.
By Susan W. from Missis on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I think Jeff needs to stay until the MLB All-Star Week concludes. I realize that is not much time because of MiLB Southern League All-Star Game timing. He needs to work on more of his hitting. He was robbed sincerly with his first home run/at bat with AA Mississippi. I think it is time to move past that bump in the road and continue focusing on his batting at the AA level. He was doing a good job at the AA level.