The Atlanta Braves get their season kicked off tomorrow against the Mets in New York. Tommy Hanson toes the rubber against Johan Santana. Both pitchers are working their way back from injuries.
Hanson didn't pitch after August 6th of last season coincidentally also against the Mets in New York. Santana last pitched in a regular season major league game in September of 2010. Both had shoulder injuries. Hanson used rest and rehab to recover from his injury while Santana had surgery to fix his aliment.
The Braves final 25-man roster under went several changes as the season approached. With injuries to some pitchers and under performance of other pitchers the Braves signed veteran pitchers Livan Hernandez and Chad Durbin who had been cut during spring camp by the Astros and Nationals respectively. Both pitchers will work out of the bullpen.
With Chipper Jones slated to begin the season on the DL (he's excepted to be activated and eligible to play in the home opener on April 13th) the Braves went out and traded for 3rd baseman Juan Francisco from the Cincinnati Reds. Francisco will sever as the Braves starting 3rd baseman till Chipper returns.
Tim Hudson had back surgery in November and will miss the first month of the season. Randall Delgado will take Hudson's spot in the starting rotation till he returns in May.
The big talk during the spring was who would win the starting shortstop battle, Tyler Pastornicky or Andrelton Simmons? Pastornicky ended up winning the job over Simmons simply because Simmons just wasn't quite ready. But don't be surprised if Simmons appears in Atlanta sometime this season but for now he'll start the season at Double-A Mississippi.
Here are the pitching matchups for this weekend in New York.
GAME 1 - THURSDAY APRIL 5TH - 1:10 PM - SportsSouth
Tommy Hanson vs. Johan Santana
GAME 2 - SATURDAY APRIL 7TH - 1:10 PM - SportsSouth
Jair Jurrjens vs. R.A. Dickey
GAME 3 - SUNDAY APRIL 8TH - 1:10 PM - SportsSouth
Mike Minor vs. Jonathon Niese
*All times Eastern.
**Remember to check back this Sunday and every Sunday for my Atlanta Braves Sunday Report articles.
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