Melvin out till May 1

[Dalyn]

Now we'll have to bench Freeman and Kimbrel to replace him.

[jpx7]

I guarantee you that Chip Caray will make this out to be a big deal during the broadcasts.

I can hear it now..."Braves have really been hit with the injury bug again this spring. If they can tread water until Melvin comes back, then they might be able to make a run at the Nationals in the East.

+1 for "injury bug." It's like you crawled up his deviated septum and into his brain.

[rico43]

Unconfirmed reports that inflammation of foot was actually dugout prank gone horribly wrong. Something about sterno hotfoot ..

[NinersSBChamps]

This is fantastic news. BJ is really gonna have to work his tail off to reach 170 strikeouts again this season.

[CrimsonCowboy]

You guys are brutal. Funny, but brutal.

[cajunrevenge]

Best news our offense has gotten all offseason.

[Braves1976]

You guys are brutal. Funny, but brutal.

True. But are we as brutal as it is having to watch an Upton at bat, etc?

[weso1]

Seems ol Melvin has been sidelined for the forseeable future. Out until at least May1 with a inflamation of the foot. I sure hope we have a backup for center field!

[dak]

Sounds like there's a chance that Melvin's contract is insured (via DOB and Will Carroll). Based on Carroll's formula, the Braves could get about $1.5m if he's out for the first full month of the season as expected. Not sure if DOB is just speculating or if he's confirmed they have an insurance policy on his contract.

@DOBrienAJC
A portion, I don't know how much RT @patr1ckw: @DOBrienAJC Let's sayr Melvin's foot hurt all season. Would insurance pick up salary?

@DOBrienAJC
re: Do #Braves have insurance on Upton? Usually It's not triggered for while “@injuryexpert: @DOBrienAJC 60% after 90 days is most common.”

[stpeteirish]

This could give B J a bunch of rehab AB's. That could be a way for him to get his stroke back. Maybe the only way.

[cajunrevenge]

I am legitimately curious to see how far down in the minors BJ would have to go to be a good hitter.

[Braves1976]

Sounds like there's a chance that Melvin's contract is insured (via DOB and Will Carroll). Based on Carroll's formula, the Braves could get about $1.5m if he's out for the first full month of the season as expected. Not sure if DOB is just speculating or if he's confirmed they have an insurance policy on his contract.

@DOBrienAJC
A portion, I don't know how much RT @patr1ckw: @DOBrienAJC Let's sayr Melvin's foot hurt all season. Would insurance pick up salary?

@DOBrienAJC
re: Do #Braves have insurance on Upton? Usually It's not triggered for while “@injuryexpert: @DOBrienAJC 60% after 90 days is most common.”

If the Braves do have insurance on Upton and will get back 1.5 million the first month alone and more each month he misses. Then I'd say it is even more likely they'll take their time with bringing him back. DOB said somewhere that it could drag on till more like June or July. To sum it up, if millions could be saved by taking it slow with Upton then I could certainly see that happening.

[50PoundHead]

I feel bad for Melvin Jr. I was hoping we'd see this OF at some point during the season.

LF:



Eric Young Jr.

CF:



Melvin Upton Jr.

RF:



Frankenstein Jr.

[Julio3000]

...with the run production of Sammy Davis Jr, Harry Connick Jr, and Junior Noboa.

[Julio3000]

I feel bad for Melvin Jr. I was hoping we'd see this OF at some point during the season.

LF:



Eric Young Jr.

CF:



Melvin Upton Jr.

RF:



Frankenstein Jr.

Did someone say Carl's Jr?

/Bert Calypso

[Braves1976]

Where's Ken Griffey Jr. when you need him? :)

[NinersSBChamps]

EYJ is my Brave for the season! All aboard!!! Chooo chooooo!

[Carp]

I'd take Jose Cruz Jr. at this point.

[CyYoung31]

This must be what Hart discussed with him during their golf excursions. Suffer an injury so the Braves can collect on the insurance. Hart is a genius.

I bet Heyward is pretty pissed about this as well. I'm sure he'd love to get paid to not play baseball.

[Julio3000]

That, or Hart actually hit him in the leg with a golf club.

Seriously, everybody wins here. BJ is spared the indignity of public humiliation, the fans are spared having to watch it, Greg Maffei can use the insurance $$ to buy cognac and Cuban cigars, or he can give it to John Hart and let him buy actual Cubans.