Francoeur Recalled from Minors
By Carroll Rogers, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
July 7, 2008
Jeff Francoeur's stint in the minor leagues lasted all of three days. The Braves have called their right fielder back up, and he will be joining the team in Los Angeles tonight.
Francoeur left Atlanta on Friday with a .234 batting average and the weight of the world on his shoulders, upset that he was being sent down after three years in the major leagues. He will return having hit .538 (7-for-13) in three games for Class AA Mississippi, with a triple and two RBIs.
It was originally planned that Francoeur would stay in Class AA for a minimum of 10 days, until after the All-Star break. However, with the rash of injuries that hit the Braves over the weekend the Braves saw an opportunity to call him back up.
"It had everything to do with the four hits he had yesterday and seven hits he had in three days and starting to relax," Braves general manager Frank Wren said Monday. "It was not until we had our call with the coaches this morning we had made the decision. It was not predicated on injuries at all. When we felt like he was comfortable swinging the bat and looking like his old self, we wanted to bring him back."
The injuries did clear a roster spot for him. A player can return within 10 days from the minor leagues if he's replacing an injured player on the roster. The Braves disabled three players on Sunday night, pitchers Jeff Bennett and Manny Acosta and utility man Omar Infante.
Wren said Francoeur would fly to join the team in Los Angeles tonight but probably wouldn't be in the starting lineup.
The Braves have also recalled Brent Lillibridge from Class AAA Richmond, who will re-join the team for his third stint. He was just sent down last Thursday to make room for Martin Prado's return. Lillibridge has hit .154 (4-for-26) with two doubles and one RBI for the Braves this year. They are also recalling Vladimir Nunez, a 6-foot-4 right-hander, who has gone 3-0 with a 3.08 ERA in 34 games in middle relief. He has 53 strikeouts and 27 walks in 52 2/3 innings. The Braves will be down to 11 pitchers, but with the off day on Thursday and only six games until the All-Star break, they elected to carry the additional position player.
