--RHP Tommy Hanson's strong spring performance wasn't enough to convince the Braves he was ready for the major leagues. The ballyhooed 22-year-old prospect was reassigned to the team's minor league camp on March 26 after compiling a 2.45 ERA through four spring appearances. Hanson has never pitched above Class AA.
--LHP Jo-Jo Reyes, who made 22 starts for the Braves last season, was optioned to Class AAA Gwinnett. He did little to hurt his cause this spring, posting a 2.08 ERA in Grapefruit League play. --OF Jordan Schafer, bidding to win the center field job as a rookie, helped his cause in the March 26 game against the Blue Jays. He threw out a runner at the plate to complete a double play, and he collected two hits to raise his spring average to .383.
--C Clint Sammons, who had been a candidate for the job as Brian McCann's backup, was optioned to Class AAA Gwinnett. Sammons hit .421 in Grapefruit League play.
--INF Diory Hernandez, who split last season between Class AA and Class AAA, was optioned to Class AAA Gwinnett. The 24-year-old hit .212 in Grapefruit League action.
--1B Casey Kotchman remained sidelined with the flu through the March 26 game. He hadn't played since March 18.
--3B Chipper Jones aggravated his sore right oblique muscle, causing him to leave Team USA and the World Baseball Classic before the second game of round two on March 15. Jones wanted the kind of aggressive treatment he's used to getting from the Braves' doctors and training staff.
--RHP Javier Vazquez, back from pitching for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, filled in as the last-minute starter for RHP Kenshin Kawakami, who was scratched from his March 19 start with right shoulder weakness. Vazquez gave up a first-batter home run, but that was the only damage in 4 2/3 innings.
--RHP Kenshin Kawakami was scratched from his March 19 start after experiencing right shoulder weakness from long-tossing the day before. Subsequent tests indicated the weakness had disappeared, but manager Bobby Cox wasn't interested in taking any chances.
--RHP Jair Jurrjens has to keep reminding himself not to throw across his body when he delivers a pitch. His command disappears when he does that.
--OF Garret Anderson jogged before the March 20 game and had no problems with his ailing right calf. He had yet to return to action since injuring the calf on March 6. Anderson hopes to get into a Grapefruit League game late in the week of March 23-29.
BY THE NUMBERS: 43 -- Plate appearances between strikeouts for RF Jeff Francoeur, who has worked diligently to recast his batting stance and approach.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "His thought process is 300 percent better." -- 3B Chipper Jones on the improvement in RF Jeff Francoeur's approach at the plate.
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