KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez says he’s not ready to pick his opening-day starter.
Jair Jurrjens, coming off an injury-plagued season, will start the first spring training game against the New York Mets in Port St. Lucie on Saturday. Three candidates for the fifth starter spot — Mike Minor, Brandon Beachy and Rodrigo Lopez — will pitch when the teams meet again Sunday in the Braves’ first home game at their Disney complex.
The remaining starters will work in this order: Derek Lowe, Tommy Hanson and Tim Hudson. Gonzalez says he’s undecided on a starter because a lot can change before the opener on March 31 at Washington.
Hudson was a 17-game winner in 2010. Lowe won 16 games and started the last two openers for the Braves.
