LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Jair Jurrjens will begin throwing off a mound again on Monday and if he continues to make steady progress, the Braves will fit him into their Grapefruit League season rotation to prepare for his April 7 regular-season debut against the Cubs.
Along with announcing that Derek Lowe will serve as his Opening Day starter for the second straight season, Braves manager Bobby Cox also took time on Sunday afternoon to announce his Grapefruit League pitching plans.
Tommy Hanson will start the Grapefruit League season opener against the Mets on Tuesday at Port St. Lucie and Tim Hudson will get the start on Wednesday, when the Braves host the Mets to open the home portion of their exhibition season schedule. Both games will air on MLB.TV.
Kenshin Kawakami will make his first start on Thursday, when the Braves host the Pirates at Wide World of Sports complex, also on MLB.TV.
As he moves toward what will be his second consecutive Opening Day assignment for the Braves, Lowe will make his Grapefruit League season debut on Friday on MLB.TV against the Nationals. Closer Billy Wagner and setup man Takashi Saito are also scheduled to pitch in this home contest.
Peter Moylan and left-hander Eric O'Flaherty, the club's top two middle relievers, are scheduled to pitch during Wednesday's game against the Mets.
Jurrjens, who has been making steady progress and feeling less discomfort in his right shoulder that was inflamed earlier this month, will need to complete at least three side sessions before being placed in the Grapefruit League rotation. Because Jurrjens is currently unavailable, the Braves will have Kris Medlen start Saturday's game on MLB.TV against the Astros in Kissimmee.
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