The Braves were only 2-4 last week as they were outscored 32-23 last week. The Braves pitching hurt them last week and that’s odd for a Braves’ team. The Braves entered this week with a 28-22 record which was good for 2nd place in the National League East, 4.5 games behind the Mets.

Mike Gonzalez will miss the remainder of the 2007 season as he will need Tommy John surgery. This is a major blow to the Braves’ bullpen as Gonzalez was by far their best lefty in the pen. In 18 games this season, Gonzalez was 2-2 with 2 saves, a 1.59 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP.

22 year old switch-hitting catcher Jarrod Saltalmacchia is hoping to stay in the majors for good. In his first 9 games with the Braves, Saltalamacchia is 8 for 25 (.320 avg, .793 OPS) with 3 runs scored and 4 RBIs. He will need to learn how to play either 1B or 3B because McCann is the man behind the plate for the Braves. Saltalamacchia tore his way through AA ball so far this season. In 22 games there, he was 25 for 81 (.309 avg, 1.022 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 6 homers and 13 RBIs. It will be interesting to see if the Braves decide to hold onto him or trade him for a starting pitcher as the rotation seems to be a little short.

Rafael Soriano has been great this season as the setup man and fill-in closer for the Braves. In 21 games this season, Soriano is 1-0 with 5 saves, a 2.61 ERA and a 0.63 WHIP so far. In 20.2 innings, he has allowed only 8 hits and 5 walks while he has whiffed 19 batters. The Braves absolutely stole Rafael Soriano from the Mariners for Horacio Ramirez.

The Braves were hoping that Chad Paronto would build upon the success he had last season, but so far this season he has been terrible. In 16 games this season, Paronto is 2-1 with 1 save, a 8.25 ERA and a 2.42 WHIP so far. In 12 innnings, he has allowed 19 hits and walked 10 batters! Paronto could find himself back in AAA ball unless he starts to pitch better soon.