ATLANTA — The wait is over for the Braves’ most heralded pitching prospect of the decade.
Tommy Hanson will make his major-league debut today against the Brewers after only 11 Triple-A appearances. Even so, he said his impatience was building.
“It was, a little bit,” the 6-foot-6 right-hander said Saturday. “I’ve always said worry about what I can control, but I think toward the end I was starting to get a little bit impatient. It all worked out.”
It will be difficult for Braves fans to overlook the fact that today was supposed to be the season debut for two-time Cy Young Award winner Tom Glavine, but the 305-game winner was released Wednesday to clear a roster spot for Hanson.
Hanrahan loses his job
WASHINGTON — Baseball’s worst pitching staff is changing closers yet again as Nationals manager Manny Acta said Joel Hanrahan has lost the job for the second time this season.
Mike MacDougal, who was working on a minor-league contract a little more than a week ago, will take over the role.
Footnotes.
Orioles shortstop Cesar Izturis is going on the disabled list after undergoing an appendectomy Friday night in San Francisco after complaining of severe stomach pains earlier in the day. He was still in a hospital Saturday and was expected to be released today.
• The Cardinals fortified their bullpen, recalling rookie right-hander Blake Hawks-worth from Triple-A Memphis and demoting Jess Todd to their top farm club.
• The Reds recalled left-hander Matt Maloney from Triple-A Louisville to start against the Cubs.
• John Smoltz allowed one hit and one run while pitching six innings for the Pawtucket Red Sox in a Triple-A rehab start against the Durham Bulls.
• The Tigers activated outfielder Marcus Thames, sidelined since April 18 with a strained rib cage, from the DL.
• The Mets activated outfielder Ryan Church, out since May 23 with a strained right hamstring, from the DL.
• A’s infielder Nomar Garciaparra won’t come off the DL when he’s eligible Monday.
The Associated Press
