ATLANTA (AP) - Fredi Gonzalez says it's easy to see why he has never been more optimistic at the start of spring training.
With pitchers and catchers reporting Monday, the Braves' manager says he is "more excited than I've ever been" to start spring training.
Thanks to offseason moves which added the Upton brothers, B.J. and Justin, to the Braves' outfield, the spring training schedule for Gonzalez could look something like this:
- Check on catcher Brian McCann's rehab from shoulder surgery.
- Update the third-base competition between Juan Francisco and Chris Johnson.
- Take a look at the battle for the No. 5 spot in the rotation.
- Play golf.
Gonzalez is confident the Uptons will replace the offense lost when Chipper Jones retired and Michael Bourn was not re-signed.
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