The Atlanta Braves held their annual Chop Fest fan event on Saturday at Truist Field. The event featured a Q&A session with general manager Alex Anthopoulos and interview and photo opportunities with dozens of players. Perhaps the biggest news to come out of the event however, centered on the health of first baseman Freddie Freeman.
Freeman underwent surgery on his elbow following Atlanta’s loss in the NLDS to the Cardinals. We learned on Saturday that they injury was worse than was initially feared and that Freeman’s season could have been cut short had the team advanced. Freeman had two bone spurs removed along with three loose bodies in the elbow but has been throwing and swinging the bat since mid-December and is 100 percent heading into Spring Training. He told reporters on Saturday that it is the first time in nine years that he hasn’t had any pain in the elbow during the offseason. That is the best possible news for a Braves team that will need another big season from Freeman.
More highlights from Chop Fest
- Alex Anthopoulos on state of the Braves, the offseason and more.
- Ronald Acuña Jr. on his offseason and the upcoming season.
- Freddie Freeman feeling 100 percent following elbow surgery.
- Travis d’Arnaud on decision to sign with Atlanta.
- Cole Hamels on his role as veteran mentor to Atlanta’s young pitching staff.
- Freddie Freeman, Ozzie Albies, Dansby Swanson fan Q&A.
- Notes on Austin Riley, Ender Inciarte, Max Fried and more.
More Braves News
MLB Pipeline released its preseason Top 100 prospects list live on Saturday via the MLB Network. The Braves had five prospects land on the list led by Cristian Pache at No. 13. You can find a complete list sorted by team here.
More MLB News
The Houston Astros have interviewed former Giants general manager Bobby Evans for their vacant GM position according to a report by The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. Evans is the first name to emerge in Houston’s search to replace Jeff Luhnow.
The Colorado Rockies and shortstop Trevor Story are reportedly nearing a multi-year deal that would avoid arbitration. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that the deal is worth $27.5 million over two years and would cover Story’s final two seasons of arbitration eligibility.
Brewers’ shortstop Luis Urías has returned to the United States for evaluation of a left wrist injury that ended his winter league season in Mexico. Milwaukee acquired Urias in a trade with the Padres earlier this offseason. The team expects to have an update by the middle of next week. Urias is expected to compete with incumbent shortstop Orlando Arcia during Spring Training.
The Washington Nationals reportedly have an agreement on a one-year deal with veteran first baseman Ryan Zimmerman. The deal is reportedly worth $2 million but also includes up to $3 million in performance incentives for games played and plate appearances.
The New York Mets have agreed to a minor-league deal that also includes an invite to spring training with veteran infielder Eduardo Nunez. Nunez was released by the Red Sox last July after hitting .228 with two homers in just 60 games.
And finally, Bartolo Colon isn’t done yet.