Braves Continue Testing Right Field Options Behind AJ Smith-Shawver
The Atlanta Braves want to cover all their bases...or rather, every blade of grass.
One day after giving Forrest Wall the start in right field with the rest of the MLB regular outfield, it's Jordan Luplow's turn to get his shot in right field as a hedge against an absence for Ronald Acuña Jr, who has an "irritated meniscus" in his right knee and is being examined by a surgeon in Los Angeles today.
Here's how the Braves will line up in Ft. Myers against the Minnesota Twins:
CF Michael Harris II
LF Jarred Kelenic
3B Austin Riley
1B Matt Olson
RF Jordan Luplow
C Drake Baldwin
SS David Fletcher
2B Andrew Velazquez
DH Leury García
Starting for the Braves is prospect righthander AJ Smith-Shawver, making his second appearance of Grapefruit League action. In his previous outing, against the Philadelphia Phillies, he allowed home runs to J.T. Realmuto and Alec Bohm, giving up a total of three runs on four hits in two innings, while walking one and striking out three.
As is customary for road matchups in spring training, the Twins are fielding a mostly MLB-caliber lineup:
DH Carlos Santana
RF Max Kepler
SS Carlos Correa
1B Alex Kiriloff
C Ryan Jeffers
3B Willie Castro
2B Kyle Farmer
CF Manuel Margot
LF Trevor Larnach
SP Pablo López
Available playing time in the outfield?
The injury to Ronald Acuña Jr. has left open the possibility of playing time to be had in the Braves outfield, and Luplow is one of several outfielders in line to potentially make the Opening Day roster if Ronald has to miss any time.
He's by far the most experienced of the outfield options invited to camp, with 361 games of experience in his seven-year MLB career. But the 30-year-old is only 2-13 in limited playing time so far this spring, albeit with one homer and four RBIs.
How to Watch the Atlanta Braves on Monday, March 4th
Today's game against the Twins from Ft. Meyers does not have an available television or streaming broadcast, from either side. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 PM ET and the game can be heard on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network.