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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Spirits are extremely high in Braves camp this spring. And why shouldn't they be?Even after losing Javier Vazquez in the offseason, the starting rotation matches up well against any staff in the National League, especially now that Tim Hudson seems healthy and is pitching well.
Braves manager Bobby Cox is stepping away from his managerial duties after the season, and the team is pumped to send him out with a bang. There's also a kid -- Jason Heyward -- who is making quite a name for himself.
As contagious as Braves fever is these days, there is an ominous cloud hanging nearby. The Braves aren't a terribly deep team after the regular players and any real bout with an injury plague this season could prove devastating.
The first scare came early in camp when Jair Jurrjens complained of tightness in his shoulder. He's been unable to pitch in live action, but has been throwing in bullpen sessions and will make his first spring start on Thursday against the Yankees.
The second scare came on Tuesday night when Heyward crashed into the right-field wall in an attempt to steal a home run from Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth. The 20-year-old phenom has minor soreness in his back and will sit out Wednesday's game against the Mets.
"It's nothing," Cox said prior to Wednesday's game. "He could play, easily."
But as a precaution Heyward will rest and be back in the lineup on Thursday.
Derek Lowe even provided an hour or so of injury worry after leaving Wednesday's game early. He was scheduled to throw three innings, but exited after just one, in which he gave up three earned runs on five hits.
"It was a wasted day," said Lowe, who felt a blister come up on his right big toe after just three pitches.
He has battled blister problems throughout his career by taping his foot every time he pitches. Wednesday, he attempted to pitch without the tape and had to alter his delivery to avoid dragging his back foot.
"If you can't push off your back foot, you're not doing anyone any good," said Lowe in the Braves clubhouse after having the blister popped.
Lowe expects to make his next scheduled start but won't be sure until completes his next bullpen session and evaluates his toe. After the game, Cox said that he was surprised that Lowe tried to pitch at all after the blister appeared.
"I just hope that he can start next time," said Cox. "Thank God it's not his arm."
The Braves seem to have dodged a few early spring bullets, as both Jurrjens and Heyward will return on Thursday, and Lowe doesn't expect to miss any time. But these spring training scares are a reminder that the Braves' playoff hopes rest on keeping the team healthy for as much of the season as possible.
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