The Braves will be without both of their top two catchers for today’s opener, manager Brian Snitker announced to reporters (Twitter link via David O’Brien of The Athletic). Both Travis d’Arnaud and Tyler Flowers are exhibiting symptoms of Covid-19, and while both have tested negative, they’re back in Atlanta rather than with the club in New York. Alex Jackson, who was on the team’s taxi squad, will get the starting nod behind the plate. Catcher William Contreras, also on the 40-man roster and in the 60-man player pool, will likely be brought up as the backup.
It’s a sudden depletion of the Braves’ catching depth and a stark reminder of how quickly a club’s depth can be compromised in a strange 2020 season. Jackson will be unexpectedly thrust into a starting role for at least today — the timeline for d’Arnaud and Flowers to return can’t be known just yet — despite having just four MLB games under his belt. The former No. 6 overall draft pick carries plenty of power but has also had longstanding issues making contact (career 30 percent strikeout rate in the minors — 34 percent in Triple-A). His defense, too, has been an ongoing question that has resulted in Jackson at times getting looks in the corner outfield.
Contreras, the younger brother of Cubs star Willson Contreras, has never appeared in a Triple-A game — let alone in the big leagues. He’s a well-regarded catching prospect, but his .255/.315/.354 output at the plate between Class-A Advanced and Double-A in 2019 was a notable step back from 2018’s .285/.347/.436.
Both d’Arnaud and Flowers will technically be placed on the Covid-19 IL as a means of facilitating the promotion of Jackson and Contreras. Unlike other injured lists, however, there’s no minimum stay on the Covid-19 IL. It remains to be seen just when d’Arnaud and Flowers will be cleared to return, though the hope is that both catcher’s symptoms will be abate in short order.
Geezus
That’s pretty crazy but it should be a pretty special day for Alex.
really hope Jackson succeeds
When I saw the lineup I was wondering why Jackson was in the lineup, thought Soroka was getting the Maddux treatment.
Would be hilarious to see Eddie Perez (Maddux’s catcher) have to make an emergency start!
OUCH… Man I’m cheering for the Mets tonight, but still… that’s bad… It almost reminds me of having Jeff Mathis behind the plate…
Paging McCann….
This why for this year only, I agree with the stupid wild card format.
Sixty games is not enough time for a team to recover from Covid issues. If these catchers caught Covid over the last week, they are out for the better part of a month.
I agree totally, plus add the baseball injury IL stints, could be a double whammy for some teams.
“His defense also has been” not “his defense, too, has been.” Just not proper English.
You mean he don’t speak good English? Good thing for him I have an element of discernment. Some people don’t.
Just admit you do this for your own silly needs and that it isn’t a service to anyone or anything. Or we could take up our old argument:
“They are paid so they need to write like it.” -richt
“Yes, but they aren’t paid anything by YOU so you are nobody to enforce anything.”
That is where our argument last ended. Your turn. =D
You sir, @richt appear in need of a project.
I can help!
I’ve 40-50 articles I’ve written for hunting mags. I would certainly take advantage of some free editing which you are so graciously providing.
Unlike the writers on MLBTR none of whom really need – or want! – your “help” I’ll take it.
merci
Alex Jackson could be sneaky good. Former Mariners first rounder.
So much for the easy out with d’arnaud… But it’s also raining all day too here, so maybe no game
Time to call Russell Martin.
I hear Martin is headed for Seattle
Pretty sure you heard wrong.
Pretty sure he heard something and pretty sure you brought nothing.
Or Russell Wilson, maybe?
Do players on IL for covid count against the 40 man roster?
If they do, it could get interesting. That’s why I believe players like Harrison and Peterson could be valuable this year.
And I would’ve signed Russ Martin. He may not be great, but he can cover the INF in s pinch.
Sigh..and to think I was concerned with the catching tandem of d’Arnuad/Flowers and now I’m wishing for them. =\
Call David Ross. He’s just hangin’ out with a buncha losers
Braves might have to do the unthinkable, trade for Francisco Cerveli again. Or bring back Brian McCann out of retirement.
What’s really scary is if both catchers have it, what other a Braves could they have infected before their symptoms showed? It wouldn’t shock me at some point in the season to see the Braves start an All-Gwinnett team due to COVID.