Jair Jurrjens is close with ex-teammate Javier Vazquez. And the fact that the Braves were willing to trade Vazquez speaks volumes about how important they deem Jurrjens to their success.

Thursday's scheduled starter, Jair Jurrjens, will start against the Pirates on Friday. Tommy Hanson, who was to start Friday's game, will instead throw four innings in relief. Jason Heyward will be back in action as well.

Derek Lowe lasted just an inning vs. the Mets on Wednesday, leaving early with a blister on his toe. The Braves carried on, posting a 7-6 win thanks to a walk-off hit by Jesus Sucre.

After tossing just one inning Wendesday, Derek Lowe hopes that the reappearance of a familiar blister doesn't further delay the preparations he needs before making his Opening Day start.

Jason Heyward arrived at ESPN's Wide World of Sports complex on Wednesday prepared to play. But the Braves opted to take the precautionary route by providing him a day to rest his sore upper back.

Given that he played just 14 games last year, there was reason to believe Troy Glaus might struggle during the early weeks of Spring Training.

Eric Hinske swatted a pinch-hit two-run double and has now recorded four hits in the five at-bats he's tallied during the past two days.

Veteran closer Billy Wagner appeared to be relaxed on Tuesday after working a scoreless inning during the Braves' 7-4 loss to the Phillies at ESPN's Wide World of Sports complex.

Through his relationship with the Rally Foundation, Brian McCann has established a program called the McCann 16 Home Run Challenge, which allows fans to pledge varying amounts of money that will be donated each time the four-time All-Star catcher homers this season.

After completing another pain-free live batting practice session on Tuesday, Jair Jurrjens took another positive step and gained clearance to make his Grapefruit League season debut on Thursday night against the Yankees in Tampa.

With Jason Heyward's estimated 450-foot blast during the first inning of the 12-4 win on Monday, he created another of those jaw-dropping moments that have followed him throughout his short career.

When Matt Diaz looked into the stands on Monday, he saw his nephew J.D. Diaz enjoying the same experience he had when his father would excuse him from school and travel across town to see the Tigers play.

Catcher David Ross went 2-for-2 with four RBIs and Tim Hudson allowed one run with three strikeouts in three innings as the Braves routed the Tigers, 12-4, on Monday.

As Braves manager Bobby Cox prepared his lineup for Sunday afternoon's game against the Astros, he selfishly wanted to provide himself with yet another day to watch Jason Heyward display his talents.

Tommy Hanson gave up three runs (one earned) over 2 1/3 frames in his second spring start of the season on Sunday, but he got plenty of offensive support in a 9-4 win vs. the Astros.

Fearing that he could aggravated his bruised right thumb, Chipper Jones opted to remove himself from Sunday afternoon's lineup.

As he walked back toward the Braves' clubhouse on Sunday morning, Jair Jurrjens was once again displaying the smile that had been absent during the early days of Spring Training.

When the Braves signed David Ross before the start of the 2009 season, they certainly did not create a lot of fanfare. With All-Star catcher Brian McCann in place, there was no reason to be too concerned about the value provided by his new backup.