Braves Notes - July 18

* Mike Soroka looked great again Saturday night as he had his last tune up before he opens the season Friday afternoon in New York. The more Soroka pitches, the more the Braves know they have an ace who could be one of the best pitchers in the National League in this shortened season.

* Don't count Touki Toussaint out in the race for one of the bullpen spots. The Braves feel Toussaint was so good in spring training that he would have to look really bad to not get serious consideration to start the year on the actice roster. With the piggybacking expected, Toussaint could be an important piece.

* Obviously, Will Smith is not back yet, so he hasn't had the two negative tests within a 24-hour period. This is going to be a horrible shame if Atlanta's main offseason acquisition misses any time in this shortened season. Getting Smith back could make the Braves bullpen one of the best in the sport.

* One thing to watch this week is how manager Brian Snitker structures the lineup. Will he give us a hint as to what he's thinking for Friday's starting lineup with what he does in the two exhibition games against the Marlins? Now that Freeman is a legit possibility to start the season, it is likely going to be easier for Snitker to start with the top three of Ronald Acuna, Ozzie Albies and Freeman and then work from there.

* Will the Braves go with Ender Inciarte in center field and Ronald Acuna on the corners, or will Acuna play in center field and they instead have Adam Duvall in right field and maybe even Austin Riley in left field? Don't count out the possibility of Johan Camargo at third base and Riley seeing time in left field, now that Riley probably won't have to play much at first base with Freddie Freeman back.

Yonder Alonso will likely make the club as insurance for Freeman at first base. Even if Freeman makes the club, they will likely be careful with him early on to make sure he's okay. That could give Alonso some playing time, and he would also be a candidate to be a left-handed hitting designated hitter, as well.

* Many still wonder if the Braves will still pursue Yasiel Puig after he tests negative for COVID-19. It could depend on how long it takes Puig to get those negative tests and also how the team is doing offensively through the first couple weeks of the season. Remember, the 20 games in 20 days will be a challenge for this team and likely a test of the depth, which could be improved significantly if they signed Puig.

* One reason the Braves wanted Puig was to avoid at all costs having Cristian Pache on the roster, and with Nick Markakis gone it increased the chances of Pache making the opening day roster. Freeman's return helps the cause, obviously, along with the fact Pache injured his ankle in the scrimmage Monday and will be out for a few weeks. The Braves really just prefer to see what Pache can do next spring in an attempt to either make the roster or be an option at some point in 2021. He showed with his swing on the double Monday that he's not too far away offensively from being ready for the big leagues.

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