The Atlanta Braves head into Space Coast (or as I call it Space Ghost: Coast to Coast) Stadium today to face division rival Washington Nationals. In order to get the pitching rotation lined up for Opening Day, the Braves will have have a bullpen day today with Eric O'Flaherty (4.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 3 K) getting the start. Toeing the rubber for the Nationals is Ross Detwiler (8.2 IP, 4.15 ERA, 7 K), who missed some of this spring due to being on the USA team in the World Baseball Classic. This game will not be aired on television.
The Braves starting line-up for today's game is going to be:
Simmons SS
R. Johnson CF
C. Johnson 1B
Francisco 3B
Gattis LF
Laird C
Pena 2B
Schafer RF
O'Flaherty P
In other Braves news, Brian McCann has begun playing in minor league spring training games as a Designated Hitter. He's allowed to hit, but not to run the bases or play catcher. The Braves are following doctor's orders and not allowing him to catch until 6 months from the surgery date, which is April 16. McCann recorded a sacrifice fly and flew out in his first rehab game.
It was announced this morning that Evan "El Oso Blanco" Gattis has made the Opening Day roster as the back-up catcher but he could get more than average playing time and split starts with Laird in the early going. He's made quite the impression on the Braves this Winter after hitting 16 dingers in Venezuelan Winter League and was considered for a LF/3B platoon with Martin Prado and Juan Francisco before acquiring Justin Upton this off-season. The Braves assigned Matt Pagnozzi to Triple-A.
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