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Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman completed the first cycle of the 2016 MLB season Wednesday with an 11th-inning single against the Cincinnati Reds. 

It’s the first cycle of Freeman’s career and seventh in Braves history, per the ballclub’s Twitter account. It’s Atlanta’s first since Mark Kotsay pulled off the feat Aug. 14, 2008. 

Matt Kemp of the San Diego Padres had the most recent MLB cycle, hitting for his Aug. 14 of last year. It was almost exactly one year to the day in 2015 that Brock Holt of the Boston Red Sox hit last season’s first cycle.

Kevin McAlpin of 680 The Fan provided a history of Braves cycles:

After striking out in his first at-bat, Freeman hit a double to deep right in the third inning and followed that up with a triple in the fourth. He connected on a game-tying home run in the sixth inning before fanning again in the eighth in what could have been his final at-bat.

The Reds had a runner on in the ninth with no outs but failed to even move him over into scoring position. Tucker Barnhart laid down a poor bunt that led to a fielder’s choice, and then Jose Peraza grounded into a double play to end the scoring chance.

The Braves and Reds played through an uneventful 10th, allowing Freeman to complete his cycle leading off the 11th. He advanced to second on a balk by Tony Cingrani and was on third base with no one out after Adonis Garcia reached via an infield single.

However, the Braves offense sputtered thereafter. Jace Peterson hit into a fielder’s choice after a Nick Markakis walk, and Tyler Flowers and Erick Aybar both made uneventful outs to send it to the 12th.

It appeared Freeman had his first five-hit game when he reached on an infield single in the 12th, but that call was overturned on replay. Atlanta won the game in a wild 13th inning in which the offense went for three runs after the Reds had scored two in the top half. Freeman finished 4-for-7 with two runs scored and one run batted in.

It’s been a fundamentally broken season in Atlanta. There’s not much solace to be found overall, but Freeman remains a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak outlook for the Braves. 

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The Atlanta Braves can’t catch a break this season, as starting pitcher Williams Perez will miss time with an injury to his rotator cuff. 

Continue for updates. 

Perez to Disabled List

Wednesday, June 8

Per the Braves’ official Twitter account, Perez was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a strain in his right rotator cuff. 

Included in the Braves’ announcement on Twitter, the team recalled right-hander John Gant from Triple-A Gwinnett two days after he was sent down. 

Perez started against the San Diego Padres on Monday, allowing six runs on seven hits in 4.1 innings before exiting with what was originally called right triceps soreness.

The 25-year-old Perez made his Major League Baseball debut last year with the Braves, starting 20 games and posting a 4.78 ERA with 130 hits allowed, 73 strikeouts and 51 walks in 116.2 innings. He’s been slightly better in 2016 with a 4.62 ERA and 1.212 WHIP in nine starts.

This season has been a mess for the Braves, who had MLB‘s worst record at 16-42 entering play on Wednesday. It is not an unexpected result since the front office has spent most of its time securing prospects to build for the future. 

Yet losing a reliable starting pitcher who takes the ball every fifth day puts more pressure on a staff that doesn’t have a lot of experience behind Julio Teheran.

Atlanta’s depth in the minors has already been tapped into, and it will continue to be an asset for the team as the summer continues.

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The Atlanta Braves will be without their top utility man for at least the next two weeks, as Gordon Beckham was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday.

Continue for updates.

Beckham Nursing Hamstring Injury

Thursday, June 2

The team announced the 29-year-old is dealing with a left hamstring strain and that infielder Brandon Snyder was called up to take his spot on the 25-man roster.

Beckham has appeared in 31 games for the struggling Braves this season, making starts at second base, third base and shortstop.

The veteran infielder has been among the team’s most consistent hitters with a .284 batting average, .382 on-base percentage, two home runs and 16 RBI.

While his numbers don’t jump off the page, his contributions are significant for a Braves team that ranks last in Major League Baseball with a .228 batting average.

With the former Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Angels player on the shelf, Atlanta will be forced to rely on myriad players to replace him.

Along with Snyder potentially playing some third base, Kelly Johnson, Daniel Castro and Adonis Garcia figure to see added playing time on the infield.

The Braves aren’t going anywhere in 2016 with a National League-worst record of 16-36, but losing Beckham could hurt in terms of keeping things respectable.

Beckham was also starting to establish himself as a possible trade candidate to a contender due to his versatility, but if his injury turns out to be a long-term issue, Atlanta may not be able to get any value in return for him.

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With the Atlanta Braves limping to the National League‘s worst record to start the season, the team is a prime candidate to have a fire sale and stock up on prospects, leaving outfielder Nick Markakis as a possible candidate to be dealt. 

Continue for updates.

Several Teams Showing Interest in Markakis

Monday, May 23

Per Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the Kansas City Royals and Philadelphia Phillies are “looking at” Markakis, “though the money is an issue there, especially with the Royals.”

According to Spotrac, Markakis is due a $10.5 million base salary with a $500,000 signing bonus in both the 2017 and 2018 seasons, so his addition won’t be cheap for prospective buyers.

And the 32-year-old hasn’t exactly been lighting up opposing pitching this season, hitting .245 with one home run and 24 RBI. He did hit .296 with the Braves last season, though he managed only three home runs and 53 RBI. It was the first season in his career he didn’t hit 10 or more home runs.

Nonetheless, Markakis remains a good defensive outfielder and was a Gold Glover in right field twice during his time with the Baltimore Orioles (2011, 2014), giving him added value.

And while his .354 on-base percentage is hardly elite, he’s still managed to find ways to get on base despite his low batting average this season.

Both the Royals and Phillies are intriguing options for Markakis, though perhaps for opposite reasons. The defending World Series champions are just 22-21 this season and could use added depth in the outfield to bolster another potential October run. Meanwhile, the Phillies are one of the biggest surprises in baseball and currently sit at 25-19 after being MLB‘s worst team a year ago.

With the Braves mired in the basement and unlikely to claw their way out, players like Markakis will almost assuredly be dealt this year, and more contending teams will likely join the fray for his services. Even if the Royals or Phillies don’t pull the trigger, there will be a team on the market willing to absorb his salary over the next two seasons.

You can follow Timothy Rapp on Twitter.

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Shortstop Erick Aybar was taken to a local doctor to have a chicken bone removed from his throat on Thursday. However, he has been cleared to return to the lineup.

Continue for updates.

Aybar Active vs. Phillies

Friday, May 20

David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Aybar will play against the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday.

Snitker Comments on Aybar’s Status

Thursday, May 19

Speaking to reporters, per MLB.com’s Mark Bowman, interim manager Brian Snitker said Aybar “looked OK when he left, but he wasn’t speaking real well. Let’s just hope everything works out alright.”

Aybar Off to Shaky Start 

The 32-year-old Aybar is hitting .174/.207/.205 in 38 games. According to MLB.com, he has just four extra-base hits in 132 at-bats in the final year of his contract.

The Braves haven’t had many things go right for them in 2016. Their 10-30 record is tied for the worst in Major League Baseball, and they dismissed manager Fredi Gonzalez after his five-plus seasons with the team.

Aybar isn’t helping matters with his performance at the plate so far this season, but his presence in the lineup every day still could benefit the team. If he starts to get hot, the Braves can use him as trade bait this summer to add another prospect to a much-improved farm system.

Atlanta’s front office is looking toward the future, but the 25 players in the dugout are focused on doing the best they can in 2016.

Aybar is a veteran who surely wants a chance to play for a World Series if he can stay on the field.

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In the wake of the Atlanta Braves firing manager Fredi Gonzalez on Tuesday, Bud Black has emerged as a top option to replace him.

Continue for updates.

Latest on Black’s Candidacy

Wednesday, May 18

According to ESPN Podcasts, Bob Nightengale of USA Today called Black the “clear favorite” to take over in Atlanta.

Gonzalez was let go after leading the Braves to an MLB-worst 9-28 start this season, per ESPN.com.

Brian Snitker is serving as the Braves’ interim manager, but Black could potentially be a long-term option.

The 58-year-old served as San Diego Padres manager from 2007 until getting fired after a 32-33 start last season.

Black went 649-713 with the Padres and never qualified for the playoffs, but he was named the 2010 National League Manager of the Year.

Although Black is a special assistant with the Los Angeles Angels, Jon Morosi of Fox Sports reported he can leave at any time for a managerial position.

Atlanta is the worst team in Major League Baseball, which was to be expected after it gutted the roster over the past couple of seasons.

Gonzalez went 434-414 in five-plus with the Braves but hadn’t reached the playoffs since 2013.

While Black’s resume doesn’t suggest that a postseason berth is in Atlanta’s near future should it hire him, nobody expects the organization to make a quick turnaround.

The Braves are seemingly at least a couple of years away from being competitive while they wait for their prospects to develop.

Black often found himself in a similar situation while with the Padres, so his experience with a rebuilding club could make him a logical fit.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.

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The Atlanta Braves may have broken new ground for awkwardness with the way in which manager Fredi Gonzalez reportedly found out he was fired.   

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution‘s David O’Brien, Gonzalez became aware he was likely on the way out Monday after the team booked him on a flight back to Atlanta even though the Braves’ current road series against the Pittsburgh Pirates doesn’t end until Thursday:

The Braves had already made the decision to fire him and booked his commercial flight home Tuesday, but didn’t plan to tell him he’d been fired until Tuesday morning, after president of baseball operations John Hart flew to Pittsburgh to join general manager John Coppolella.

Later Monday night after getting the email, Gonzalez eventually had confirmed by Braves top officials what he already was certain about by then: He was fired.

ESPN.com’s Travis Haney was disappointed with the way the Braves handled Gonzalez’s dismissal:

The Wall Street Journal‘s Jared Diamond might have found the explanation for the situation:

Gonzalez doesn’t deserve all of the blame for Atlanta’s MLB-worst 9-28 start. The front office has traded away almost all of the team’s best players in an effort to build for the future.

Still, Gonzalez dug his own grave to a certain extent. Questions over his tactical nous go back to at least 2012, when FanGraphs’ Jason Roberts criticized his handling of the bullpen and starting lineup. Gonzalez also failed to get the best out of the Braves teams that were positioned to be title contenders from 2011 to 2013.

Atlanta isn’t in the wrong if it wants to hire a manager who is more of a long-term option to help develop the team in the coming years. Essentially letting Gonzalez know he was fired by moving his flight schedule around doesn’t reflect well on the powers that be in the Braves’ front office, though.

The team announced Tuesday that Brian Snitker, who was managing the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves, will replace Gonzalez on an interim basis.

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The Atlanta Braves have the worst record in Major League Baseball this season at 9-28, and they opted to make a big change Tuesday, firing manager Fredi Gonzalez.

The Braves announced the dismissal of Gonzalez and bench coach Carlos Tosca, and stated skipper Brian Snitker of the Gwinnett Braves, the team’s Triple-A affiliate, will serve as Atlanta’s interim manager.

David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Mark Bowman of MLB.com initially reported the news of Gonzalez’s dismissal, which came after five-plus seasons and a 1-4 record in playoff games.

O’Brien also reported Gonzalez learned of his firing in an email, though the manager declined to confirm the report.

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com, citing a source, reported details on Snitker’s role: “Snitker is the Braves interim manager, but he’ll remain in the role through the end of the season.” The New York Post‘s Joel Sherman added: “Snitker has been in the Braves organization since 1977, [and he] actually replaced Gonzalez as [the third base] coach when [Gonzalez] became the Miami Marlins manager.

The Braves made other changes to the staff as well, per O’Brien:

To be fair to Gonzalez, Atlanta is in rebuilding mode and last year offered him an extension through 2016 when he had the Braves hovering near .500 at 42-47 in the middle of the season. Since then, however, the club has struggled mightily.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported May 4 that Atlanta was considering letting Gonzalez go and had former San Diego Padres manager Bud Black in mind as the team’s next manager.

Crasnick reported Mark DeRosa was also a potential replacement. Crasnick noted a source close to former Braves third baseman Chipper Jones revealed Jones is not interested in the position. Jones, however, denied the report:

Braves president of baseball operations John Hart and Braves senior adviser John Schuerholz both have ties to Black, per Nightengale, who reported May 4 that Black was the “heavy favorite” to begin 2017 as the team’s manager. Even if Atlanta doesn’t go after a full-time replacement right away, Black may be the long-term play.

The team will move into a new stadium, SunTrust Park, in 2017.

A new, proven leader could help the Braves gain some momentum heading into next year, but it’s going to be a while before they have enough talent to contend.

Atlanta traded All-Stars in Jason Heyward, Justin Upton, Shelby Miller and Craig Kimbrel and Gold Glove Award-winning shortstop Andrelton Simmons toward the end of Gonzalez’s stint, which left the manager little to work with.

Gonzalez has had tough draws in his managerial career. Before his Braves tenure—in which he was tasked with succeeding the legendary Bobby Cox—he landed the gig with the then-Florida Marlins, who are notorious for roster—and managerial—turnover.

If given the chance to lead a team with ample talent, Gonzalez may well find success. Atlanta reached the postseason in two of his first three years, which included 94- and 96- win campaigns in 2012 and 2013. He was 276-279 in three-plus seasons in Miami.

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As the Atlanta Braves make their way through a long rebuilding season in 2016, the future of manager Fredi Gonzalez is sure to be a hot topic of conversation. 

Continue for updates. 

Gonzalez Not Expected Back Next Year

Wednesday, May 4

According to USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale, even though no decision has been made about Gonzalez at this point, former San Diego Padres manager Bud Black is considered a “heavy favorite” to take over in Atlanta next season.  

Nightengale added in his full report that Braves management is “embarrassed over their horrific start this season” and “internally discussing” whether or not to fire Gonzalez. 

There’s no way to classify Atlanta’s 7-19 start as anything but bad, though it’s also prudent to add context. The front office put Gonzalez in a no-win situation this year by trading away Andrelton Simmons, Cameron Maybin, Christian Bethancourt and Shelby Miller over the winter. 

Everyone expected the Braves to be bad this season because the front office was going to start building through the farm system. 

The Braves’ faith in Gonzalez dating back to 2015 has been interesting, to say the least. He was given a contract extension around the All-Star break last year that guaranteed his salary for 2016 and includes an option for 2017. 

At the time, Gonzalez had managed the Braves to a 42-47 record. It was not a great mark, but last year was also seen as the start of a rebuild for the franchise after Jason Heyward, Justin Upton and Craig Kimbrel were traded during the offseason. 

Put together a team of the seven major players Atlanta has traded over the last two years, and it would at least be competing for a playoff spot. Whether you believe Gonzalez is a good manager or not, he’s potentially going to be made the scapegoat for a situation in which no one could succeed. 

Fortunately for the Braves, Gonzalez is only under a guaranteed contract for 2016, so they won’t have to pay him for a long time to go away if they opt to fire him during the season.

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The Atlanta Braves have reportedly been trying to trade left fielder Hector Olivera since his arrest for allegedly assaulting a woman.  

Continue for updates.

MLB Executive ‘Can’t Believe’ Braves Asked About Olivera Trade

Monday, April 25

Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan reported the trade rumor regarding Olivera, citing two sources. Olivera was arrested on April 13, was placed on administrative leave thereafter and may face a lengthy suspension in the future.

The 31-year-old had a career in Cuba before defecting to the U.S. and initially signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers as recently as March 2015 on a six-year, $62.5 million contract.

But before Olivera even played a game for Los Angeles, he was traded to Atlanta last July in a three-team deal.

“We look at this as the first building block to building the team,” said Braves president of baseball operations John Hart of Olivera at the time of the trade, per MLB.com’s Mark Bowman. “We think this guy is versatile enough. He can play third, he can play second or he could play left field. But we just liked the bat and we felt this was going to be a good piece.”

The immense investment Atlanta has made in Olivera has not panned out to date. Although he is a versatile defender, Olivera has yet to play enough to justify his huge contract, logging only 98 MLB at-bats in 30 games with a .245 average.

The Braves appear intent to cut their losses already but may have a difficult time trading a player who could face an assault conviction.

Olivera is not only on administrative leave and in limbo while his assault case plays out, but he’s also uncertain to return to his current club even if he is acquitted.

Other MLB players to recently go through the league’s domestic violence policy feature New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman and Colorado Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes. The latter is still on paid leave, while Chapman is serving a 30-game suspension even after charges were dropped in his case.

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