Braves beat writer David O'Brien had an update of sorts on Paul Janish.
[Ramiro] Pena is penciled in as the primary middle-infield backup to begin the season. Paul Janish is taking batting practice and fielding in workouts, but isn’t expected to be cleared to play until late March or early April.
Be interesting to see what they do when Janish is cleared to play. I can't see them carrying both Janish and Pena. Janish has options can could be stashed in AAA. Pena doesn’t. Janish is better with the stick and the glove than Pena is, but Pena has the advantage of being a switch-hitter.
One possibility: they signed Pena to a big league deal with the understanding that he would accept an assignment to Gwinnett if he clears waivers when Janish comes back. And if he doesn’t clear waivers, they’re off the hook for his salary. Kind of like what the Yankees did with Jayson Nix.
Or Janish could be the one sent to Gwinnett. Seems like a good chance he'll start the season on AAA, on rehab assignment if nothing else.
Labels: Paul Janish
