Braves Won't Re-Sign Outfielder Andruw Jones

James returns from minors to pick up his first victory

(NEWSER) - Chuck James did a good impression of Tom Glavine. Just hours after coming back from the minors, James allowed one run in five innings and the Atlanta bullpen shut down the Dodgers, leading the Braves past Los Angeles 4-1 today for their third straight victory. Mark Teixeira's two-run single highlighted a four-run fifth that accounted for all the Atlanta scoring and handed James (1-1) the win. More»

Five clubs sign sponsorship deals with distillers

(NEWSER) - Big-league baseball teams are hitting the hard stuff. After years of sponsorship from beer companies, five ball clubs this year have teamed up with liquor brands. The spirit of choice: tequila, which saw the biggest sales jump among spirits between 2001 and 2010. “Lots of people think of beer and hot days together, but we have a lot of fans who are interested in spirits,” an Atlanta Braves rep tells MarketWatch . “And for female fans, we can offer margaritas.” More»

Also, pitcher Derek Lowe is charged with DUI

(NEWSER) - This turned out to be a banner week for the Atlanta Braves pitching staff. In the most high-profile event, the team today placed pitching coach Roger McDowell on administrative leave after he allegedly hurled gay slurs at heckling Giants fans ("Are you a homo couple or a threesome?"), simulated a sex act with a bat, and used the same bat to threaten a man who asked him to tone down his language in front of kids. ("How much are your teeth worth?") More»

Minor league manager Luis Salazar will return to work this season

(NEWSER) - An Atlanta Braves coach has lost his left eye after a foul ball hit him in the face. Luis Salazar, a minor league manager, was watching a spring training game when a line drive off the bat of the Braves’ Brian McCann hit him in the dugout. He was knocked out and the game was paused while he was airlifted to a hospital. Doctors treated him for facial fractures, the AP reports. More»

(NEWSER) - The biggest move on today’s baseball trading deadline looks to be one that wasn’t made, Fox Sports reports: Toronto kept ace right-hander Roy Halladay, who’d drawn interest from contenders in both leagues. The biggest name dealt was right-hander Jake Peavy, sent from San Diego to the Chicago White Sox for four young pitchers, Sports Illustrated notes. More»