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Braves Clippings Tuesday, April 21, 2015 Braves.com

Inbox: How much should Braves read into early success?

Beat reporter Mark Bowman fields questions from Atlanta fans

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com | @mlbbowman | April 20, 2015

Should we increase expectations for the Braves after the first two weeks? Or is this just a peak in a season that will have many valleys? -- Eric S., Gilbertville, Iowa

It is never wise to put much stock in results compiled within a small sample size against a select group of competition. But if nothing else, this season's first two weeks have provided some indication that this club is capable of producing more offensive excitement than most had predicted.

Still, before allowing yourself to be fooled by the nine homers totaled over the past five games, remember this lineup's DNA indicates this will be a team that needs to consistently manufacture runs. Thus, you can either be concerned that the top two spots in Atlanta's batting order have produced a .163 batting average and a .219 on-base percentage. Or you can be encouraged by the fact that the Braves have managed to collect eight wins despite getting little production from the top of the lineup.

Fortunately, the schedule has allowed either Julio Teheran, orShelby Miller to start nine of the season's first 12 games, though Eric Stultsand Trevor Cahill are tabbed to start the first two games of this week's series against the first-place Mets. Stults is capable of being an effective fifth starter, but it is not exactly comforting to pair him in the same rotation as Cahill, whose presence might further tax an already-thin bullpen that has compiled more than every club other than the Marlins and Giants.

With Matt Wisler and waiting in the wings with Triple-A Gwinnett, the Braves have some internal options to aid either their rotation or bullpen. Atlanta's roster versatility provides Fredi Gonzalez options to continue tinkering with his lineup in an attempt to continue generating consistent offensive success.

It is far too early to be overly excited by the results or dismayed by trends. But through this season's first two weeks, the Braves have at least provided some indication that there could be more excitement than many have anticipated seeing at this summer.

With the shedding of future dollars and Dan Uggla's burdensome contract expiring at the end of the year, what are the Braves going to do with this money prior to 2017? -- Jeremy J., Forest City, N.C.

How important was it to get rid of Melvin Upton Jr.'s contract at the expense of ? Even without its financial commitment to Upton, Atlanta is already committed to pay $68.05 million to seven players in 2017, and this does not account for the salaries Miller and Wood could gain that year. It is often said you can never have enough pitching, but given all of pitching prospects acquired over the past few months, it seems safe to assume a significant focus will be placed on finding .

If 's early-season success with -A is indicative of what he might do over the next couple months, he might be just a year away from becoming Atlanta's center fielder. But with still in the early stages of his pro career, the Braves will likely use some of their available funds on a power-hitting who could fill the left-field spot the next couple seasons.

With the emergence of Jace Peterson, does that make Jose Peraza expendable? Or do you see Peterson shifting to third base upon Peraza's promotion to the big league roster? -- Asa P., St. Paul, Minn.

Because of his athleticism, versatility and speed, Peterson is a nice player to have on your roster. But his presence should not in any way influence the long-term plans for Peraza, who has the potential to be an impact player on Atlanta's roster. Looking ahead to future seasons, it seems more likely that Peterson could serve as a utility player, while Peraza is positioned at second base and at third base. How impressive does need to be once he comes back from shoulder discomfort (again) to provide a decent trade value? -- Brad C., Atlanta

Given that his left shoulder has been an issue for more than a year now and there is no indication of when it might prove healthy enough for him to pitch again, Minor will need to display reliability and durability over an extended stretch before another club would be willing to provide much in return. Though the latest setback fueled doubts, the Braves have no choice but to maintain hope that he can provide at least some value later this year.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Braves’ reps meet with Palm Beach County about

By Tim Tucker - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Braves’ search for a new spring-training home in Florida has taken them back to their past.

Real-estate consultants representing the Braves recently met with officials in Palm Beach County, where the team trained from 1962 until leaving for Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex near Orlando in 1998.

While there is no indication at this point that the Braves would be able to make a deal to return their spring-training camp to Palm Beach County, the meeting with officials there — first reported by the Palm Beach Post — underscores the team’s commitment to searching both the east and west coasts of Florida for a possible new spring home. The team’s lease with Disney expires after two more years.

The Braves have engaged commercial real-estate services firm JLL — the same firm working with the team on its new stadium and mixed-use development in Cobb County — to “ us (with) site finding in Florida,” Braves president said.

“They have talked to a number of communities to find what the level of interest is or might be,” Schuerholz said. “… They visited not only Palm Beach County but several other counties as well.”

Please see MyAJC.com later today or Wednesday’s Atlanta Journal-Constitution for more on this story.

Prospect Primer: Weekly look at Braves’ top minor-leaguers

By Carroll Rogers - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Matt Wisler, RHP, Triple-A Gwinnett

Ranking: Braves’ No. 1 prospect by

Wisler got a little -happy in his second start for Gwinnett, allowing three runs in a 30-pitch second against the Charlotte Knights. He got more comfortable with his off-speed pitches as the game went on and would have allowed only one more run if not for an error in right field that cost him two unearned runs. Wisler is 0-1 with a 3.72 ERA in two starts for Gwinnett.

Jose Peraza, 2B, Triple-A Gwinnett

Ranking: Braves’ No. 2 prospect by Baseball America

Peraza had the kind of up-and-down week you might expect from a 20-year-old playing in Triple-A, not to mention one whose name was mentioned in trade rumors — though Braves sources have indicated they don’t intend to trade him. One night Peraza was lining a triple to right center field off Carlos Rodon — who was called up to the White Sox a few days later — and the next he was striking out three times in four at-bats.

Mike Foltynewicz, RHP, Triple-A Gwinnett

Ranking: Braves’ No. 3 prospect by Baseball America

Foltynewicz acknowledges he was too eager to impress in spring training, playing for a new organization after coming over from Houston in the trade. He’s working on a few adjustments pitching Roger McDowell gave him to focus on at the end of spring training and has seen some fruits of his work: allowing only two earned runs in 8 2/3 innings in his first two starts.

Rio Ruiz, 3B, Double-A Mississippi

Ranking: Braves’ No. 11 prospect by Baseball America Ruiz is day-to-day after being by a pitch in the right knee on Friday night, but it’s not considered serious. He collected his first three-hit game of the young season two days earlier on April 15 against Jackson, going 3-for-5 with a double.

Tyrell Jenkins, RHP, Double-A Mississippi

Ranking: Braves’ No. 13 prospect by Baseball America

After some shoddy defense cost Jenkins five unearned runs in his debut for Mississippi, he had some rough luck again his next time out. Jenkins gave up five runs — this time in six innings of work — and only two of them were earned. A Daniel Castro throwing error in the sixth allowed one run to score and kept the inning alive for Gabby Guerrero (nephew of former All-Star ), who followed with a two-run homer off Jenkins.

Manny Banuelos, LHP, Triple-A Gwinnett

Ranking: No. 14 prospect by Baseball America

Banuelos not only showed better command in his second start for Gwinnett, he struck out seven batters in five innings, while allowing only one run against Charlotte. The seven was his highest total since Banuelos struck out seven for Scranton Wilkes-Barre — the Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate — on May 13, 2012. That was his second-to-last start of that season before he was shut down and eventually underwent surgery.

Ozhaino Albies, SS, low Single-A

Ranking: No. 8 prospect by Baseball America

The 18-year-old switch-hitting native of Curacao is playing his first full season of and just beginning to find some rhythm at the plate. He went 2-for-5 on Friday night in Augusta, raising his season average to .200, before the rest of the series got rained out. He has drawn four walks to give him a .294 on-base percentage, to go along with three stolen bases.

Braxton Davidson, LF, low Single-A Rome

Ranking: Braves’ No. 12 prospect by Baseball America

Davidson had a rainy weekend (and three postponed games) to think about his three- game Friday night against Augusta. Patience has served him well so far this season, though. He’s drawn eight walks in his first eight games to give him a .357 on-base percentage despite hitting just 2-for-20 (.100) including a to start the season.

Mallex Smith, CF, Double-A Mississippi

Ranking: No. 17 prospect by Baseball America

Smith tormented the with four straight multi-hit games, including two three-hit games. He went 10-for-20 (.500) in the series, with a game-tying two-run homer, a triple, four RBIs, four stolen bases, and seven runs scored. Smith, the speedster who came over from the Padres in the deal, made a couple of diving catches in shallow center field Saturday night against Jackson as well.

Andrew Thurman, RHP, High-A

Ranking: No. 20 prospect by Baseball America

Thurman took a loss in his second start for the Mudcats after allowing only two runs in five innings, and leaving with the Mudcats down 2-0. He scattered eight hits, walked only one and struck out three. He is 1-1 with a 1.64 ERA in two starts.

Veteran Gomes impacting Braves on and off field

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

TORONTO — Jonny Gomes was in the visitor’s clubhouse early Saturday morning, in his Braves uniform pants and a gray T-shirt with ‘MERICA across the chest in red, white and blue. He prepared his bats, making sure the tape on the handles was just right. Prepared his chewing tobacco, making sure the honeyed mix he adds to it was just right.

He had already been in the film room, going over Blue Jays relief .

Gomes is big on preparing. And he’s as cerebral in his approach as any hitter you are likely to come across. Which one might not suspect, if one is prone to stereotype based solely on appearance – his many tattoos, the surfer-dude sneakers and shorts he wears during spring training, the intensity he oozes in the batter’s box, where he obsessively un-straps and re-straps his batting gloves after every pitch, and almost violently tugs at the bill of his helmet.

He looks as if he’s just as inclined to catch the next pitched ball and chew on it as he is to swing at it.

But it’s work he does before he gets to the plate, not just bat speed and considerable strength he retains at age 34, that allows Gomes to remain an effective platoon left fielder – four RBIs including a bases-loaded double in Sunday’s 5-2 win at Toronto — and bench guy whose homer Friday was his 10th as a pinch-hitter, tops among active major leaguers.

Preparation, kids. The grizzled Gomes swears by it.

“As a (lineup regular), you go over the starting ,” Gomes said. “When you’re pinch-hitting, you’ve got to go over the whole bullpen. Most likely I’m going to get the lefty in my role. So I’ve got to have all the lefties covered. And then you’ve got to follow the game, to see what sequence the is calling. Because I always say, when you pinch-hit it’s probably going to be off someone in the bullpen, it’s a new pitcher but the catcher’s going to be the same. He’s going to continue that sequence that he’s had success with. So you can’t just not pay attention during the game. You’ll see sequences throughout the game where he has three or four 3-2 counts and all of them heaters (). Or is the guy calling a game backwards, and every 2-0 is a changeup?”

Gomes thrives against left-handed pitching. Fredi Gonzalez starts him in left field against lefties, with occasional starts against right-handers to keep sharp. He’s 6-for-23 (.261) with a double, two homers, seven RBIs and a .565 in nine games including six starts.

He’s played more than 1,110 games including 310 starts as a , so he assisted when the first baseman made his first DH start Sunday at Toronto. Freeman went 2-for-3 with a double and a walk.

“I talked to Jonny and he told me every time (the Braves) are playing defense to stand up and move around,” Freeman said. “Don’t hit in-between (innings), act like you’re playing in the game. So I was always standing up, moving around, acting like I was in the game. It worked out, I stayed focused and stayed in the game, and I was able to perform.”

As much as he’s helped on the field, Gomes has had even more of an impact in the clubhouse, according to teammates. A profound impact, from the day he reported to camp and announced “I’m here to win.” He soon let the rest of the Braves know, in so many words, that he expected them to have a similar attitude and to hustle. Always, always hustle.

That respect-the-game, always-run-it-out expectation even carries over to opponents. When an opposing hitter recently hit a pop-up and carried his bat while jogging halfway to first base, Gomes could be heard – from both dugouts — shouting from left field for the player to run. It amazed Braves teammates, and no one on the opposing team objected.

While the intensity is apparent to any observer, Gomes’ sharp, dry humor is something only a select group are aware of – teammates, friends, or, say, the audience at the recent Braves Leadoff Luncheon, where one-liners from Gomes and veteran A.J. Pierzysnki had the crowd of fans and sponsors, as well as teammates and coaches, laughing out loud.

“He looks like that Neanderthal type, but this guy’s (bleeping) bright,” Gonzalez said. “He knows the game really well. He’s funny, too. Friday (after pinch-hitting for Cameron Maybin) he goes, ‘Does that mean I’m going to center field’? He wants to play center field. He comes around, ‘Hey, I’m going to center?’ He goes, ‘Hey, I’ll be in center field by the All-Star break, don’t worry about it….

“In one of the games in (the opening series at) Miami, they brought in (lefty Mike) Dunn to face (Nick) Markakis, (Jace) Peterson, Freeman. And (Gomes) has a bat and batting gloves, standing right next to me. And he goes, ‘Hey, I’m ready.’ I said, you think I’m going to pinch-hit for Markakis and Freeman? And he goes, ‘Hey, that’s up to you, but I’m ready.’”

Gonzalez laughed as he recalled the incident. “You’ve got to like that. Has his bat, helmet in his hand.”

Freeman said late in spring training that Gomes flat-out changed the clubhouse culture and made the Braves believe they could win. Picked by many pundits to lose 90 games and finish no better than fourth in the , the Braves are 8-4, including 5-1 on the road, entering Tuesday’s series opener against the Mets in New York.

Braves backup is a longtime former lineup regular still getting used to a part-time role. In his 10-year career with seven major league teams, he played with plenty of players more accomplished than Gomes, but arguably none who’ve so mastered the art of preparing mentally and maximizing one’s aging physical skills.

“I was just asking him about it yesterday,” Johnson said. “I said I want to get inside your head; we’ve got to talk about pinch-hitting. He’s just really good at doing his homework, watching guys he might face, trying to pick out some tendencies. As the at-bat’s going along, something pops up, something he saw on film, and he’s ready.

“It’s easy when you’re playing every day to just kind of show up and play on ability. Your rhythm and timing kind of stays, you can rely on that,” said Johnson, who hit 16 or more homers six times in a seven-year span. “But as your at-bats become a little more less regular, you’ve got to give yourself a little bit of an edge. He already is as mentally prepared every day as anybody, and that rubs off on all of us. But in terms of his pinch-hit at-bats, he does his homework.” Braves pinch-hitters lead the NL with a .385 average (5-for-13), after ranking 14th with a .179 average in 2014. Of the Braves’ five pinch hits, four were by Gomes (2-for-3) or the rookie he’s taken under his wing, Peterson (2-for-2).

Next for Braves:

By Carroll Rogers - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A quick look at the New York Mets, the next Braves’ opponent beginning Tuesday night in a three-game series at Citi Field in New York:

Keep an eye on: The standings. The Mets enter the series 10-3 and atop the NL East, matching their best record through 13 games in franchise history. (They were 10-3 in 1986 when they won the and in 2006, their last trip to the playoffs when they made the NLCS. The Mets’ eight-game winning streak is their longest since a 10-game win streak July 5-17, 2008.

Who’s hot: is on a seven-game hitting streak, during which he’s 11-for-25 (.440) with three doubles, a triple, a home run and six RBIs.

Who’s not: is hitting just .132 (5-for-38) on the season.

Braves connection: made his major league debut on April 10 against the Braves, who drafted him in the first round in 2011. Gilmartin coaxed a groundball from and struck out Freddie Freeman that night. Gilmartin retired all seven Braves he faced over two games in that series. The Braves traded Gilmartin to the Twins for Ryan Doumit in December of 2013 and a year later, he was picked up by the Mets in the .

In the : Since the Braves last saw the Mets, David Wright pulled his hamstring and landed on the DL. On Sunday, the Mets lost two more players to injury: reliever Jerry Blevins, who fractured his left forearm after getting hit by a Dee Gordon line drive, and catcher Travis d’Arnaud, who broke his right hand when he got hit by a pitch. D’Arnaud won’t be around this series to be thrown out on another incredible play by Andrelton Simmons (see highlights from April 10 and August 27, 2014). The Mets will turn to prospect , a supplemental first round pick in 2012 out of Purdue. Blevins, by the way, has been the Mets’ best lefty out of the bullpen, holding left-handers hitless in 14 at-bats this season.

Series preview: Braves at Mets

By Carroll Rogers - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The pitching matchups for the Braves’ series at the New York Mets:

Tuesday

Time: 7:10 p.m.

TV: SPSO

Probable starting pitchers:

Braves RH Trevor Cahill (0-1, 15.43) vs. LH Jonathan Niese (1-0, 1.59)

Comment: Cahill comes in looking for redemption for his first start with the Braves, when he gave up four earned runs and walked three without making it out of the third inning in an 8-2 loss to the Marlins. In his defense, it had been two weeks since he pitched his previous game of spring training for the Diamondbacks, March 31, before he was traded to the Braves. Niese took a no-decision in a 5-3 loss to the Braves on April 10 but only one of the three runs he allowed was earned.

Wednesday

Time: 7:10 p.m.

TV: SPSO

Probable starting pitchers: Braves LH Eric Stults (0-1, 6.30) vs. RH Dillon Gee (0-1, 7.59)

Comment: Braves fourth and fifth starters are 0-2 with an 8.05 ERA in three games this season, and Stults is responsible for the bulk of that. He’s been hit at a .324 clip in two starts, including three home runs, and has yet to make it past the fifth inning. Gee knows the feeling. He has been the weak link of the Mets’ rotation so far, allowing nine runs including, three home runs, in 10 2/3 innings over starts against the Braves and Marlins.

Thursday Time: 1:10 p.m.

TV: SPSO

Probable starting pitchers: Braves RH Julio Teheran (2-0, 3.71) vs. RH Bartolo Colon (3-0, 2.25)

Comment: Teheran is looking to get back on track after an odd outing in Toronto when he gave up a career-high four home runs. He’d tweaked his knee trying to avoid a line drive back up the middle the outing before on April 11 against the Mets but said that had no bearing. The Braves have won each of his first three starts. The 41-year-old Colon is tied with teammate for the NL lead in wins, including a 4-3 win against the Braves when he limited the Braves to three runs in seven innings and drove in the winning run with his first RBI since 2005.

Atlanta Business Chronicle

Braves to induct legendary broadcaster into Hall of Fame July 20

Phil W. Hudson

The will induct longtime broadcaster Don Sutton into the Braves Hall of Fame this summer.

The induction luncheon will take place July 20 at the 755 Club at Turner Field, and will be followed by a pregame ceremony that evening when the Braves take on the Dodgers.

Sutton will join , Bill Bartholomay, , , , , Ralph Garr, , , Ernie Johnson, , , Javy Lopez, Herman Long, , , Rabbit Maranville, , , , , Dave Pursley, John Sain, , , , and .

Before his broadcast days, Sutton had a stellar playing career that spanned 23 seasons. His Major League career was highlighted by 324 wins with the , , and California Angels. Sutton began his career in 1966 with the Dodgers, where he stayed for 16 years and achieved many of his personal bests. Following his time with the Dodgers, he spent intervals of time with the Astros, Brewers and Angels before retiring in 1988. Sutton ranks seventh on baseball’s all-time strikeout list with 3,574 and appeared in more than 750 games throughout his career.

Sutton’s baseball accomplishments were recognized and celebrated in 1998 when he was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

In 1989, Sutton joined as an analyst for Braves telecasts on TBS and spent 18 years covering Atlanta. After a two-year stint with the Washington Nationals from 2007-2009, Sutton returned to the Braves broadcast team, where he still resides.

“Don has been an integral part of the Braves family for decades, and is most deserving of this honor,” Atlanta Braves President John Schuerholz said in a statement. “Generations of Braves fans have been wowed by his knowledge and charmed by his ability to bring life to the broadcast. He is undoubtedly beloved throughout Braves Country.”

The Braves Hall of Fame was established to recognize and honor those

Individual tickets are $150 and can be purchased by calling the Braves Museum & Hall of Fame at 404-614-2310.

Asheville Citizen-Times

Braves defying odds with fast start to 2015 season

Bob Berghaus, [email protected]

Twelve games into the season and the Atlanta Braves are not following the script.

Usually when teams get rid of their best offensive players and one of the games top closers, disaster follows.

There is plenty of time for that to happen but so far so good for a team that entered Monday night's game against the New York Mets with an 8-4 record, including 5-1 on the road.

Rightfielder Nick Markakis, who spent the first nine years of his career with Baltimore, is hitting .375 with five runs batted in and eight runs scored. First baseman Freddie Freeman, one of the few holdovers from last year, has four homers, eight runs batted in and is batting .283.

Outfielder Jonny Gomes has a couple dingers and seven RBIs. Not bad for a team that traded away top offensive players , Justin Upton and Evan Gattis during an eventful offseason that left Braves fans thinking that a 90- to 95-loss season was all but a certainty.

Centerfielder and Roberson grad Cameron Maybin continues to struggle on offense with a .138 average (4 for 29). He hasn't committed an error on defense where the Braves have shined, with just one miscue in 12 games.

Starting pitchers and Julio Teheran are 2-0 in three starts.

Right before the start of the season the Braves traded Craig Kimbrel, who had 42 or more saves in his previous four seasons, to San Diego in the deal that brought Maybin to Asheville. So far, Jason Grilli is doing his best Kimbrel imitation with a major-league best six saves in six opportunities, allowing just one run in six innings for a 1.50 average.

Rookies and , who has 13 strikeouts in nine innings, have been superb in set-up roles.

It is early but this team is showing Braves fans there may be reason to have some hope.

Rams on the farm: Maybin is not the only former Roberson standout in the Atlanta organization.

Braxton Davidson, selected in the first round (32nd overall) of the 2014 draft, went 1 for 3 with a home run against Asheville in his first game with the Rome Braves.

Since then he has just one hit and is batting .100. He has drawn eight walks so his on-base percentage of .357 in respectable.

2007 Roberson grad Justin Jackson is in the bullpen with the Class AA and has struck out seven batters in three appearances and 3.2 innings. His last outing was rough - two hits, three walks and two earned runs. But the two outs he got came on strikeouts.

Overall he has a 7.36 .

Jackson, the 45th player selected overall by Toronto in 2007, struggled as a position player and made a change to the mound in 2013.

Associated Press

Braves-Mets Preview

By KEVIN CHROUST (STATS Writer)

The New York Mets have matched the top 13-game start in franchise history, but it has come at a cost that's likely to catch up with them.

With a growing list of injuries, they will try to win 11 of their first 14 games for the first time since their famed 1986 season Tuesday night against the visiting Atlanta Braves and their thinning bullpen.

The surprising Mets (10-3) own the NL's best record, having won eight in a row since dropping their first two games in Atlanta in the second series of the season. They last won 10 of 13 to begin a season in 2006 and went on to a division title, as they did in 1986 before winning the World Series. That team started 13-3.

The winning streak is tied with two 2010 stretches for the club's longest since a 10-game run in July 2008, and the Mets have won their first seven home games for the first time in franchise history. But after Sunday's 7-6 home win over Miami, there wasn't any celebration.

New York lost catcher Travis d'Arnaud to a broken hand and reliever Jerry Blevins to a fractured arm. D'Arnaud was hitting .317 with an .892 OPS, and Blevins hadn't allowed a baserunner in five innings.

Catching prospect Kevin Plawecki and right-hander Hansel Robles will be called up from Triple-A .

"As we have done all year, we have to pick up the pieces and move forward," said manager Terry Collins, who is already without third baseman David Wright (hamstring), reliever Vic Black (shoulder) and closer Jenrry Mejia (suspension). Zack Wheeler and reliever Josh Edgin are out for the season.

The Mets have scored 5.13 runs per game with a .363 on-base percentage on the streak. Newcomer Michael Cuddyer has led the way with a .440 average on a seven-game hitting streak.

The rotation has been good all season, going 9-2 with a 2.84 ERA, and Jonathon Niese (1-0, 1.59 ERA) will look to keep it going. He allowed three runs - one earned - and seven hits in five innings of a 5-3 loss in Atlanta on April 10, then beat Philadelphia in Wednesday's 6-1 win after surrendering a run and nine hits in 6 1-3 innings.

While the record and ERA might look good, his .364 opponent OBP does not. Still, he hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in his last six starts. "He knows how to get outs when he needs them," Collins said.

Against Atlanta's current lineup, Jonny Gomes has caused the most trouble with a 6-for-10 mark with a home run.

Gomes drove in four runs in Sunday's 5-2 win in Toronto to lead the Braves (8-4) to a series win, while Nick Markakis continued his strong start with his new team, going 2 for 4 and upping his average to .375. They scored 18 runs in the three-game series and might need that kind of production to continue.

Trevor Cahill will be out to recover from a disastrous Atlanta debut. The right-hander made it through just 2 1-3 innings of last Tuesday's 8-2 home loss to Miami after allowing four runs and five hits with three walks.

Cahill, trying to prove himself after struggling greatly in Arizona a season ago, hadn't pitched since March 31.

"When a sinkerballer is giving up fly balls, maybe there's too much rest," manager Fredi Gonzalez told MLB's official website. "But it's just the first start of many."

At Citi Field, he's 0-1 with a 4.00 ERA in two appearances. Cuddyer is 4 for 22 against him, while Curtis Granderson is 1 for 13.

Should he again need significant help from the bullpen, Andrew McKirahan won't be around to help. The left-hander has been suspended for 80 games following a positive test for the banned substance Ipamorelin.

He's the second Atlanta reliever to be suspended this month after Arodys Vizcaino tested positive for Stanozolol. is already out for the season after undergoing elbow surgery in February.

"You'd like to think you have an endless supply of pitching, but at some point, all of this cuts into your depth," Braves president of baseball operations said.

Braves' McKirahan suspended 80 games for positive drug test

NEW YORK (AP) -- Atlanta Braves reliever Andrew McKirahan was suspended for 80 games Monday following a positive test for a banned substance under 's drug program.

McKirahan is the fifth big league pitcher in 25 days disciplined for using performance-enhancing drugs. He was cited for Ipamorelin, which releases growth hormone.

''I am extremely sorry for letting down the Atlanta Braves organization, my coaches, teammates and the Braves fans,'' he said in a statement released by the players' association. ''This is in no way a reflection of my character or morals. I will work hard during my suspension and pray that everyone will find it in their hearts to forgive me.''

The 25-year-old left-hander has a 4.15 ERA in three appearances this season. He was selected by theChicago Cubs on the 21st round of the 2011 amateur draft, taken by Miami in the winter meeting draft of unprotected players, then claimed by Atlanta off waivers on April 1.

McKirahan will be eligible to return to the Braves in late July. He loses $221,858 of his $507,500 salary, the major league minimum.

Minnesota's Ervin Santana, the New York Mets' Jenrry Mejia, Seattle's David Rollins and Atlanta's Arodys Vizcaino were suspended for positive tests for Stanozolol, which is sold under the name Winstrol and is popular with body builders.