--CF Jordan Schafer has returned home after straining a tendon in his right middle finger. Schafer was hit by a pitch while playing winter ball in Mexico.
--RHP A.J. Burnett's agent, Darek Braunecker, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the Braves are one of six teams in serious negotiations for the pitcher's services. --RHP Jairo Cuevas, 24, has been reacquired by the Braves. He was first claimed from the Braves by the Royals on Oct. 24, by the Braves claimed him back a month later. Cuevas had right shoulder surgery performed by Dr. James Andrews on Aug. 22 and is not expected to be ready to pitch until July or August.
--Japanese RHP Junichi Tazawa, whose fastball is reported to clock in at 97 mph, can't be signed until his industrial league team finishes its season. While many major league clubs believe a gentlemen's agreement prevents North American teams from signing Japanese amateurs, the Braves are not one of them.
--SS Yunel Escobar "is our shortstop," GM Frank Wren declared in a live chat on the Braves' Web site Nov. 20. Escobar was widely reported to be key in a deal for Padres RHP Jake Peavy, but he is not being shopped.
BY THE NUMBERS: 5 -- Amount of years in contract length that the Braves have historically been unwilling to offer. Worth noting in the pursuit of RHP A.J. Burnett.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's north of where we were this year." -- GM Frank Wren, declining to be specific about the Braves' payroll for 2009.
