04 August 2007

Ouch. Bad news Braves fans. A half week after the elation of acquiring Mark Texiera the Braves have sent perhaps their most consistent performer, Edgar Renteria, to the 15-day DL with a sprained ankle. Renteria left Thursday's game after he hurt his ankle trying to field a one-hopper against Ty Wiggington. At first their was fear that the ankle was broken and that he'd be out for the year, which would have dealt a disastrous blow to the Braves chance of playing October ball. However, it turned out to be a sprain and he's likely to be back in about three weeks or so. Escobar will step up and play SS full time with Johnson likely to the second baseman of choice over the period. Right-hander Joey Devine was called up from triple-A Richmond instead of an infielder to take the place of Renteria and give depth to a depleted pen. Devine, a former first round pick, has an ERA of 2.25 in his four appearances with Atlanta this season. Let's hope Hudson has more than Smoltz last night. The Braves need a win or else they are going to slip from the playoff picture fairly quickly.