MVN: Most Valuable Network

Buried in an article about how great Myrtle Beach is for rehabbing Atlanta Braves pitchers, there's a blurb about the organization promoting two top prospects to Double A Mississippi. Freddie Freeman, Jason Heyward and pitcher Tommy Palica.

3 That's the number of Pelicans who were informed following the game they have been promoted to the Atlanta Braves double-A affiliate in Pearl, Miss. First baseman Freddie Freeman, outfielder Jason Heyward and lefthanded pitcher Tommy Palica are all moving up to the Mississippi Braves. They are being replaced today by three players from low-A Rome.

That's good to see, I suspect that you could see Heyward and Freeman in Triple A before the end of the year - if they tear up double A like they did at the Beach. Also within the article, is positive news concerning Tim Hudson who is coming back from TJ surgery. And it looks as though he may do his rehabbing at the Beach.

According to manager Don Wakamatsu, Erik Bedard could return to the Mariners rotation as early as Tuesday against his former team the Baltimore Orioles. He's been out for nearly a month with discomfort in his pitching shoulder. He threw a bullpen session on Tuesday and from all reports things went fine, though he only threw about 40 pitches.He'll throw a simulated game at Fenway tomorrow before the Mariners take on the Sox. And if all goes well, could start on Tuesday. "He will get a couple of starts before the All-Star break and then have a couple of days off," Wakamatsu said. "Hopefully, he will come back pitching well in the second half." This means that if Bedard does in fact return Tuesday, that either Garett Olson or Brandon Morrow will be the odd man out. Though the former is more likely than the latter. It would help the Mariners... Read more

Over at Talking Chop (a site I read daily and Gondee is a colleague of mine) he does a fan confidence poll, right now at least the readers of the site it's at an all season low 48%. It doesn't help that the Braves are on a huge skid, loosing a series to the Yankees and Red Sox. There are people looking for heads to roll, anywhere from hitting coach Terry Pendleton, manager Bobby Cox and even GM Frank Wren. I find this all to be a bit ridiculous, Pendleton for example can't go and hit for these guys that aren't producing - though it seems in times like this that the hitting coach is usually used as a scape goat.They want Kelly Johnson's head on a stick, has anyone caught on that KJ is a very streaky player and he's going to ride through the peaks and valleys. As... Read more

I'll just get this out of the way from the very start, the M's have really screwed up the way they've handled Brandon Morrow right from the start.Is he a starter? Is he a reliever? Not mention former manager Mike Hardgrove taking Morrow back to Seattle after spring training in his first pro year. While yes, college pitchers do have a bit of a head start as opposed to high school pitchers - I don't think it's that much of a gap that one  can skip right over the minors and contribute to the major league club right away.So lets fast forward shall we? At the start of the year, it was Brandon Morrow - The Closer. That didn't last long, and it's not a surprise he was getting cuffed around (and at least David Ardsma has stepped up and filled the closers role quite well). Then it was decided,... Read more

Wow, didn't realize I had been silent this long. It's been a long road in Culinary School that is about to come to an end this week. But because I juggle multiple writing gigs, the only way I was going to stay on top of things was to create a schedule to insure that I'm spreading the love around so to speak.So on to the Schedule:Monday:  Prix FixeTuesday: Rain Delay (Braves content)Wednesday: Baseball Daily DigestThursday: Rain Delay (Mariners content) / Heater UpdateFriday: Prix FixeSaturday: Baseball Daily DigestSunday: Baseball Daily Digest / HeaterNow of course I should put the disclaimer: Schedule is subject to change.Joe and Brian have been very patient with me since November (when I started Culinary School) and that's why they're getting a bit more love at Baseball Daily Digest. And if you're wondering what the hell Prix Fixe is, it's my food blog.... Read more

Well it looks like the Braves might have made a decision, or close to as far as the center field job goes. According to Mark Bowman, the Braves sent Josh Anderson to Detroit for minor league right handed reliever Rudy Darrow.Here's what Frank Wren had to say."We determined [the position battle] was going to come down to Jordan Schafer or Gregor Blanco," Braves general manager Frank Wren said. "It's going to be difficult to keep two of those guys, and we knew we couldn't keep three. The fact that Josh was out of options, we had to start making calls to see what kind of market there would be for him."I had it pegged that Anderson and Blanco would start the season as the teams center fielders. But now it looks as though Jordan Schafer has performed well enough to convince the Braves that there was no need for Anderson.... Read more

According to Mark Bowman, the Braves have released Aussie Phil Stockman - as he's still battling the same injury for the last two years (this clears up a spot on the 40 man, and he was out of options). They also informed James Parr that he's headed to minor league camp, and will be a part of Triple A Gwinnett.The Braves are expected to make more cuts on Monday, as it's the first day of minor league camp. So we'll see the Major League camp thinned down. I'd expect guys like Jason Heyward, Freddie Freeman and Diory Hernandez to get sent to minor league camp. ... Read more

Welcome to "The 6-4-3" a new feature to Rain Delay, where we make a classic double play running down three things we think you need to know.The Six...Ground balls are more democratic: Derek Lowe was perfect through 4 innings today against the Astros. He faced the minimum through those first four, striking out six. While the other half were ground ball outs. God I love this guy..The Four...A pink slip means you've died: The Braves released Anthony Lerew just a week after designating him for assignment. I guess there were no plans at the Major League or Triple A roster, he passed through waivers but someone might be willing to pick him up. He's coming off rehabbing Tommy John Surgery. They also sent Emiliano Fruto, Juan Perez and Rafael Cruz to minor league camp.The Three...Put me in coach:  It sounds like Chipper will only miss on game of the World... Read more

This is my fault I think, after basically ripping Garret Anderson for being old and injury prone guess what happens? Chipper had to go out and strain his oblique, he'll be evaluated on Monday. Maybe that would explain the whole 0-7 showing in two games with Team USA - who man handled Team Venezuela 15-6.I have a feeling that Anderson and Chipper are going to be taking more than a few trips to the disabled list this season (something I'm soo not looking forward too).... Read more

Here's some injury updates from Carrol Rodgers, filling in for DOB:Jordan Schafer took some "dry" swings today and some off the tee and came away with his shoulder feeling OK. He's got a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder that's kept him out a week. The last time he tried to take bp, he ended up in a lot of pain. Like I've said before, don't rush Schafer. I think it's highly unlikely he makes the club out of spring training. Josh Anderson is going to be the starter, and why have Schafer ride the pine when you can have him starting everyday at Triple A.Our consolation prize in the Griffey Sweepstakes, is already gimpy..Talked to Garret Anderson and he's not big on giving timetables, but reading between the lines, I'd say it'll be a couple of weeks on his calf. We'll see what Bobby Cox has to say... Read more

Welcome to "The 6-4-3" a new feature to Rain Delay, where we make a classic double play running down three things we think you need to know. The Six...Blame Canada: Brian McCann and Chipper Jones played in the first round of the WBC against team Canada. While McCann went deep and collected 3 RBI's. What did Chipper do? It was the golden sombrero for Larry Jones Junior. Team USA takes on Venezuela at 8p est, on the four letter network. Roy Oswalt will be taking the hill for Team USA.The Four...Power Surge: Greg Norton hit his second home run of the spring and first baseman Casey Kotchman flashed the power as well (his first of the spring) as the Braves went on to beat the Yankees at "The Boss". Norton is now team leader in home runs this spring..The Three...Gimpy Garett: After going 0-2 in his first spring at-bats, Garett... Read more