Jurrjens appears locked into Braves rotation

[EverybodyHits]

looks like hes locked up the #5 spot. and most likely start out as #3

if you haven't been following this. he's the guy they traded renteria for. and he's had a nice spring. and chuck james has been hurt all spring.

John Smoltz's sore shoulder is expected to land him on the disabled list to start the season, in which case manager Bobby Cox said Tom Glavine would move up to start Game 2 — the March 31 home opener against Pittsburgh.

Tim Hudson will start the special opening night game Sunday at Washington, and Mike Hampton and rookie Jair Jurrjens will fill out the rotation.

An off day in the schedule April 1 would permit the Braves to use four starters in the first six games before a hoped-for April 6 return by Smoltz in a Sunday series finale against the New York Mets at Turner Field.

Cox said he could use Jurrjens in the third game of the season if he decides to stay with a strategy of separating left-handers Glavine and Hampton.

"[The original plan] didn't work out because of Smoltz," said Cox, who might have begun the season with a rotation order of Hudson, Smoltz, Glavine, Jurrjens and Hampton, though he didn't specifically say that.

"Jurrjens could go in the third game. We could still split [the lefties]. But it doesn't matter. A lot of times they don't face the same team anyway."

http://www.ajc.com/braves/content/sport ... s0325.html

[tooslim73]

I hope he lives up to the early hype...who couldn't use a nice WW starter.

The Braves Rotation is frail to say the least, this was a nice trade by the Braves. Any injuries or extra days off for the old guys and JJ moves up in the rotation pretty quick.

[hwiggen]

CBS is projecting him as a two start pitcher next week.

[Treebeard's Nuts]

CBS is projecting him as a two start pitcher next week.

Music to my ears!

[tooslim73]

He starting the 3rd game...


Braves rookie pitcher Jair Jurrjens said a few weeks ago that he wouldn't assume he had made the squad until someone from the team told him it was so.

He's listed in the Braves game notes as the starter for Game 3 on Wednesday against Pittsburgh. Cox confirmed the order to the media Thursday.

But Jurrjens said he hasn't been told by anyone.

"I suppose that means I made the team," he said. "I'm still not going to believe it till I fly to Washington [for the season opener Sunday]. I'm not telling anyone. I'm still waiting."

He laughed.

"That [plan] could change. You always have to be prepared."

Jurrjens also will start tonight's exhibition game at Turner Field against Cleveland, facing Indians ace Fausto Carmona.

[RedSoxNation04]

So, is this kid for real? His last three starts have been great and he's a FA in my league right now. I've got Smoltz on the DL and who knows what's going to happen with him. I'm considering picking him up though I could run with some spot starts for the next couple weeks if need be. Is he worth the pick up and does anyone out there think he can continue with the success he is finding so far?

[BigRy]

yeah he is hot.. i just used him to help me land the F Rod.

[stumpak]

So, is this kid for real? His last three starts have been great and he's a FA in my league right now. I've got Smoltz on the DL and who knows what's going to happen with him. I'm considering picking him up though I could run with some spot starts for the next couple weeks if need be. Is he worth the pick up and does anyone out there think he can continue with the success he is finding so far?

Cox had some laudatory comments about his poise, maturity, and intelligence after his last start - things that are good to hear about a 22 year old and lend confidence that he can turn in a good season. He is not going to keep it up at this pace, but he is a decent ERA/WHIP and K-ration type of guy and should definitely be rostered unless we are talking less than a 10 team league.