The Atlanta Braves will officially kick off their Spring Training slate of games this afternoon in sunny Florida against Prince Fielder and the Detroit Tigers. With young left-handed starter Mike Minor scheduled to start the game and work two innings, he will be relieved by relievers Cristhian Martinez, Anthony Varvaro, Arodys Vizcaino, Adam Russell and Erik Cordier.
Freddie Freeman is still recovering after twisting his knee a bit earlier in the week and will be replaced with Eric Hinske at first base. Matt Diaz will serve as the DH, and every one of the other regular starters will play today. Michael Bourn, Martin Prado and Chipper Jones will get the lineup going across the top, and they will be followed by Brian McCann, Dan Uggla and Hinske. Jason Heyward will bat seventh, Diaz goes eighth and rookie shortstop Tyler Pastornicky comes in ninth.
The game figures to be pretty sloppy at points with it being the first competitive baseball game in months for most of these guys, but it's always great to see the Braves out on the field.