A couple more tid bits on Thursday's off day for the Braves. Atlanta will be home from April 29-May 5, playing the Cardinals and Brewers.
According to the AJC, the Braves have optioned Jairo Asencio to Triple-A Gwinnett and called up utility player Joe Mather. It was known that Asencio probably wouldn't remain on the roster long (which I don't agree with), but this is a little shorter than I expected. It means Cory Gearrin will remain in Atlanta for the homestand, which wasn't expected at all when he was called up during the road trip as an added arm. His perfect appearances in San Diego won him a longer stay.
The reason for Mather over Matt Young? Not sure. Mather isn't doing anything special at Gwinnett, and the Braves don't necessarily need a utility player over an outfielder. All I can think of is Mather hits right-handed.
Beyond the Box Score has a post suggesting the Braves could make a run at Jeff Francoeur. Yes, Frenchy.
Jokes and threats of leaving the fanbase aside, Dave Gershman makes the point that Francoeur may be more valuable than Martin Prado over the last two months. While I do understand the point that is made, I just don't think it's realistic to believe the Braves would even think about bringing Francoeur back at the expense of Prado. That just won't happen. I'll my eat my shoe if I'm wrong. Not to mention Prado is almost guaranteed to be more valuable than Francoeur over an entire season, and in the end, this is what we should be looking at.
John Sickels of Minor League Ball profiles Alex Gonzalez over his career.