Comments on: Spring Training Position Battles - Braves Fifth Starter http://bayareabaseball.today.com/2009/02/22/spring-training-position-battles-braves-fifth-starter/ Deep Inside the National Pastime Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:16:20 +0000 http://www.today.com/version-2.3.1 By: bud006 http://bayareabaseball.today.com/2009/02/22/spring-training-position-battles-braves-fifth-starter/#comment-15586 bud006 Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:54:21 +0000 http://bayareabaseball.today.com/2009/02/22/spring-training-position-battles-braves-fifth-starter/#comment-15586 Looks like Tom Glavine will be the one who takes the fifth spot, if indeed he's healthy. The Braves signed Glavine Friday to a one-year deal, and Glavine will report to spring training next week. In Glavine, the Braves get a guy who is on the verge of turning 43, but at the same time is not a power pitcher. The surgery he underwent in August to repair a torn flexor tendon in his elbow is not like Tommy John surgery. This is a procedure Glavine and the Braves are both optimistic he can rebound from, and all reports from his rehab so far have been very favorable. If Glavine can give the Braves 20 starts and 120 innings out of the fifth spot, this rotation will be as deep and as solid as any in the National League. The inning-eating Lowe and Vazquez, coupled with Jurrjens (188 IP last season) should help a bullpen that was overworked and burned through by midseason in 2008. Due to off days the first two weeks of the season, Glavine isn't projected to make his first start until April 19. Campillo moves to the spot starter/long relief role out of the bullpen. Morton, Parr and Reyes all figure to start the season in Gwinnett. So, too, will Hanson, who I agree has the most upside of any pitcher in the Braves' organization, and who very well could force his way into the rotation by midseason. Bud. http://braves.today.com Looks like Tom Glavine will be the one who takes the fifth spot, if indeed he’s healthy. The Braves signed Glavine Friday to a one-year deal, and Glavine will report to spring training next week.

In Glavine, the Braves get a guy who is on the verge of turning 43, but at the same time is not a power pitcher. The surgery he underwent in August to repair a torn flexor tendon in his elbow is not like Tommy John surgery. This is a procedure Glavine and the Braves are both optimistic he can rebound from, and all reports from his rehab so far have been very favorable.

If Glavine can give the Braves 20 starts and 120 innings out of the fifth spot, this rotation will be as deep and as solid as any in the National League. The inning-eating Lowe and Vazquez, coupled with Jurrjens (188 IP last season) should help a bullpen that was overworked and burned through by midseason in 2008.

Due to off days the first two weeks of the season, Glavine isn’t projected to make his first start until April 19.

Campillo moves to the spot starter/long relief role out of the bullpen. Morton, Parr and Reyes all figure to start the season in Gwinnett. So, too, will Hanson, who I agree has the most upside of any pitcher in the Braves’ organization, and who very well could force his way into the rotation by midseason.

Bud.
http://braves.today.com

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