The dirt on Turner Field: Infielders not digging conditions
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager commits a fielding error, allowing Atlanta Braves' Adonis Garcia to reach first base during the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 19, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman) Credit: AP
ATLANTA — David Wright said he was aware of reports that said some Braves and Dodgers were unhappy with the condition of Turner Field’s infield surface. But Wright said he wasn’t going to do anything other than take ground balls as usual during batting practice Friday.
“I’m not going to taste the dirt,” he said.
The Braves are moving into a new ballpark in suburban Cobb County next year. An ESPN report said Braves players were considering contacting the union to complain about the infield. A spokesman for the Players Association said, “We are aware of the situation.”
The Braves said they had received no complaints directly from their players. Manager Fredi Gonzalez said Turner Field’s field director, Ed Mangan, was “disappointed and hurt” to hear about the allegations of a subpar playing surface.
Return of deGrom
Jacob deGrom threw a bullpen session in Port St. Lucie, Florida, and will rejoin the Mets on Saturday before making his second start of the season tomorrow.
DeGrom has been out with a strained lat muscle and then was placed on the emergency family list after complications following the birth of his son, Jaxon, who was released from the hospital on Monday. Terry Collins said deGrom should be good for about 85 pitches. “He’s great,” Collins said. “Once they got the baby home, he was very, very relieved. So he’s excited about getting back to start pitching again.”
When deGrom is activated, Logan Verrett will return to the bullpen and Rafael Montero likely will be returned to Triple-A Las Vegas.
Warthen misses game
Pitching coach Dan Warthen was not with the team after the death of his mother. Bullpen coach Ricky Bones replaced him in the dugout. Warthen is expected to return Saturday.
Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.
