LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - He missed the first three weeks of the Grapefruit League schedule, but Tyler Pastornicky had just enough time to show Braves officials he’s recovered from September knee surgery and is ready to play.
He had three RBI in his second consecutive two-hit game Wednesday, and barring anything unexpected the former shortstop turned utility player is expected to fill the Braves’ last bench vacancywhen they announce their 25-man opening-day roster in the next day or two.
Pastornicky is 5-for-12 (.417) in five Grapefruit League games and got about a dozen at-bats in minor league games.
“He looks good,” Braves Manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “I’ll check with him to see how his legs are; it’s the first time he played nine [innings] and he ran the bases a lot. But during the game he said he felt great.”
The Braves optionedfirst baseman Ernesto Mejia to Class AAA Gwinnett on Wednesday, leaving 29 players on the camp roster including 15 position players. They will have 13 position players on the opening day roster, with infielder Phil Gosselin and catcher Steve Lerud likely to be dropped to reach that number.
Pastornicky is expected to fill out a bench that includes infielder Ramiro Pena, outfielder Jordan Schafer, and catchers Gerald Laird and Ryan Doumit.
Sports, Pages 22 on 03/28/2014