Atlanta Braves: Sean Rodriguez Expected to Miss Season

The Atlanta Braves utility player Sean Rodriguez is expected to miss the season after shoulder surgery.

After the Atlanta Braves traded for second baseman Brandon Phillips they released the news that utility man Sean Rodriguez is expected to miss the majority if not all of the season. Rodriguez was recently involved in a car accident that injured him and his family.

The injury ultimately required shoulder surgery that will cause Rodriguez to miss the season. While it is possible he is ready sooner than expected the consensus is that he will miss the season and not be able to join the Braves until next season.

Sean Rodriguez was expected to platoon with Jace Peterson at second base and fill in at other positions around the infield. Losing Rodriguez hurts the Braves bench but acquiring Brandon Phillips balances out the loss that the Braves took with Rodriguez going down for the season.

Rodriguez is solid defensively but not the hitter that Phillips has been throughout his career. If you look at their stat lines from the last five years it becomes very clear that Rodriguez is a platoon player who is a great bench piece. Phillips is a starting second baseman who may not be one of the best in the league but is a talented hitter that is better then either of the options that the Braves had sitting on their bench headed into the year.

Brandon Phillips will offer the Braves a solid bat in the lineup and above average defense at second base. He will be expected to hit 6th in the Braves batting order. Jace Peterson will replace Sean Rodriguez as the utility player on the team.

Next: Braves Off-season Targets

Jace Peterson is capable of playing the corner outfield spots as well though it is debatable if the Braves will look for a true 4th outfielder.