The Braves have optioned shortstop Tyler Pastornicky to Triple-A Gwinnett and replaced him on the roster -- and at the position -- with prospect Andrelton Simmons. David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweets that Simmons will make his major-league debut on Friday against the Nationals.
Pastornicky was hitting a meager .248/.281/.324 on the season and hitting an even more meager .238/.253/.374 for the month of May.
Simmons, meanwhile, boasts Gold Glove-caliber defensive skills at short, and, while he doesn't draw walks or hit for power, he figures to post strong batting averages. Simmons, age 22, was hitting .292/.372/.421 at Double-A Mississippi. Once he adapts to the highest level, he figures to be a substantial upgrade over Pastornicky.
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