Braves' News Tidbits

[ATLien]

Good news: It isn't raining this morning!

[General]

Can't wait to see Francouer out there.

[General]

Brian Jordan, on the 15-day disabled list with an injured knee, believes he won't be ready to return until the end of the month.

[General]

Mike Hampton, on the DL with a sore left forearm, pitched four innings in a simulated game today.
Hampton plans to be back in the rotation during the series against the Giants that begins July 18. ''Shoot, two weeks ago, this seemed so far away,'' Hampton said. ''And now, after a couple bullpen sessions and two simulated games, it feels pretty doggone good, and I'm ready to test it out.'

[General]

Rafael Furcal went 5-for-5 with a homer against the Brewers today.
Furcal raised his batting average 11 points with his big game today. He's 17-for-42 with two homers in July

Roman Colon was charged with five runs -- three earned -- over 4 1/3 innings versus the Brewers.
Despite pitching well in his first three starts, Colon figures to be removed from the Braves' rotation when Tim Hudson is activated in the first series after the All-Star break. Colon could remain with the Braves in the bullpen, but it's more likely that he'll be sent back down to the minors.

Tim Hudson (oblique) pitched six innings in a simulated game today and reported no problems.
Hudson is expected to come off the DL and start in the first series after the All-Star break.

[ATLien]

I hope they keep Marte up here. The dude is so close, right now, to busting out. He is like Kelly Johnson at the beginning. He is hitting the balls hard, he isn't striking out alot. It's only a matter of time before he goes KJ on us and starts hitting .300+.

[General]

Chipper Jones (foot) started at third base for Single-A Rome tonight and went 1-for-3 with two RBI and a walk while playing seven innings.
''I felt pretty good,'' Jones told the Rome News Tribune. ''It was fine swinging the bat, fine defensively, (but there was) a little discomfort running the bases. I didn't do all that bad.'' Jones is hoping to return to Atlanta's lineup on Monday.

[General]

Those of you wondering why Orr is starting today:

Marcus Giles is absent from tonight's lineup due to flu-like symptoms.
Pete Orr is filling in at second base. Giles is day-to-day

[General]

Third straight loss! ****!

[ATLien]

C'mon Giles. Take some Advil, and play.

[ATLien]

Bernero is gone! AAA!

[General]

About ****ing time.

[General]

Braves activated RHP Tim Hudson from the 15-day disabled list.
Hudson will start against the Mets today.

Braves optioned third baseman Andy Marte to Triple-A Richmond.
Chipper Jones hasn't been activated yet, but Marte returns to Triple-A anyway. He went 0-for-9 in his second stint in the majors

[General]

Chipper Jones (foot) rejoined the Braves today, but he's still not going to be activated until Monday, manager Bobby Cox said.
''We have a lot of roster issues right now,'' Cox said. ''I want to keep the other pitcher, and he's not quite ready. He needs to keep working out a few more days.'' Interesting that the Braves would bring him back and have him sit in the dugout rather than let him continue to play in the minors. Wilson Betemit started at third base again tonight.

[General]

We're seeing the Dan Kolb we paid for. At least the past week or so.