Braves News World

The Braves today made their first seven cuts since spring training began. Surprisingly, phenom Jeff Francoeur, was among those sent to the Braves minor league camp. Francoeur, who was widely believed to have an outside shot at making the team as a reserve, will begin the season at either AAA Richmond or AA Mississippi. With ten other outfielders in camp, it became difficult to get them all adequate playing time.

Non-roster invitees Brian McCann, Onil Joseph, Daniel Curtis, Gonzalo Lopez, Miguel Bernard, and Carlos Mendez were also assigned to the minor league camp. Both McCann and Joseph will start at AA Mississippi. The Braves currently have 46 players in their major league camp and expect to make more cuts next Thursday.

Former Braves second baseman and outfielder Ron Gant signed today to serve as an analyst for 17 Atlanta Braves games on TBS this season. He will join play-by-play announcer Chip Caray and analysts Joe Simpson & Don Sutton (who will rotate) for special “Braves TBS Xtra” broadcasts. Like last season, the “Braves TBS Xtra” coverage will feature enhanced graphics, a sports ticker, a virtual leadoff meter, hit chart diagram and other cool neato whiz-bang technologies. The first “Braves TBS Xtra” telecast will start at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 9th (against the Mets).

Ron Gant made headlines last month when he was involved in a fatal car wreck. A pick-up truck, driven by a 74-year old resident of Douglasville, Georgia, turned into oncoming traffic where it was struck by the SUV Gant was driving. Gant sustained no serious injuries and no charges were filed.