Baseball

It's what Prado did last year when Jones was out, but Gonzalez doesn't want to do anything that might negatively affect his hottest hitter. Gonzalez would prefer to keep Prado in left and have Juan Francisco taking regular at-bats at third, but he's not dead-set on the idea if Francisco struggles.

DeLome reported the transaction on his personal Twitter account. A fifth-round pick in 2007, he fizzled out in the Astros' farm system after showing some early promise. The 26-year-old outfielder owns a weak .323 career on-base percentage in the minor leagues.

Minor struck out three, walked two and gave up six hits. He's now given up at least four runs in six straight starts and his ERA stands at an ugly 6.98. Minor's rotation spot has to be in jeopardy.

With Chipper Jones (calf) back on the DL, Francisco is going to get the majority of starts at third base. He's hitting just .226 in 84 at-bats on the season, but does have five homers. Remember that he slugged 27 homers while playing in the minors back in 2009 -- the last time he received regular starts.

Freeman has been limited all week by recurring vision problems, and he's apparently still not over them. Eric Hinske is starting at first base on Saturday.

McCann is still day-to-day with flu-like symptoms, but was able to spell the injured David Ross (groin) on Friday. Recently promoted backup J.C. Boscan is starting at catcher and batting eighth Saturday against the Nationals.

Boscan, a defensive catcher, will serve as depth behind Brian McCann and the injured David Ross (groin). He's hitting a predictably bad .192/.257/.308 in 114 plate appearances in the minors.