Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said he is leaning toward batting Jonny Gomes or Chris Johnson cleanup against left-handed starters, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He might even move Freddie Freeman to fourth against right-handed starters, but Gonzalez is not sure yet if that will happen.
Justin Upton, who was traded to San Diego in the offseason, started a team-high 120 games as the Braves' cleanup hitter in 2014. Johnson made 17 starts in the cleanup spot last season.
As a team, the Braves hit .255 with a .444 slugging percentage, .763 OPS, 25 home runs, 37 doubles and a team-best 102 RBI out of the fourth spot in the lineup last season.