Braves' Ramon Laureano: Poaching starts from Kelenic
Rotowire
Laureano will start in left field and bat fifth in Wednesday's game against the Reds.
Laureano will be included the lineup for the sixth time in eight games, with the right-handed-hitting outfielder having picked up four starts versus righties during that span. After previously occupying the short side of a platoon in left field, Laureano appears to have unseated the struggling Jarred Kelenic as the preferred option at the position. Dating back to the All-Star break, Laureano has produced an .858 OPS over 45 games.
Braves' Ramon Laureano: Drops into small-side platoon
Rotowire
Laureano is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Blue Jays.
The 30-year-old made seven straight starts in late August but is on the bench Friday for the third consecutive game against a right-handed starter. The lefty-hitting Jarred Kelenic will man left field Friday as Laureano appears to have shifted back into a small-side platoon role.
Laureano is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rockies.
Laureano has recently operated as Atlanta's primary left fielder, but he has a .646 OPS in his past nine games and will take a seat Wednesday. Jarred Kelenic will start in left field and bat sixth against Colorado righty Bradley Blalock.
Laureano is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.
Laureano will see his streak of 19 consecutive starts come to an end while Jarred Kelenic gets the nod in left field in the series finale. Though he'll exit the lineup, Laureano seems to have supplanted Kelenic as the preferred option atop the depth chart after slashing a blistering .325/.364/.542 with five home runs, two stolen bases, 12 runs and 11 RBI over 27 games in August.
Braves' Ramon Laureano: Starting over Kelenic again
Rotowire
Laureano will start in left field and bat fifth in Wednesday's game against the Twins.
Though he looked to be at risk of moving back into a fourth-outfielder role when Michael Harris (hand) rejoined the lineup Tuesday, Laureano will instead stick in the starting nine for the 19th time in 20 games. For the second day in a row, Laureano will start in left field against a right-handed pitcher over Jarred Kelenic, who appears to be the odd man out of the lineup while manager Brian Snitker rides the hot bat of Laureano. Dating back to Aug. 8, Laureano has hit .348 with five home runs, nine RBI, 11 runs and two stolen bases over a stretch of 19 contests.
Braves' Ramon Laureano: Benefits from Harris' absence
Rotowire
Laureano will start in left field and bat sixth in Monday's game against the Twins.
Atlanta will include Laureano in its lineup for the 17th time in 18 games, with his continued usage coming while he's slashed .357/.410/.643 with five home runs and one stolen base over the prior 16 contests. Despite the ample playing time of late in addition to his strong production at the plate, Laureano may not be locked into a regular spot in the Atlanta outfield. He's benefited from Jorge Soler missing seven consecutive starts earlier this month due to a hamstring injury he's since recovered from, but Atlanta will have a spot available for Laureano on Monday while Michael Harris sits with a sore hand. Assuming Harris' injury doesn't force him to the injured list, Laureano could soon move back into a fourth-outfielder role, as Harris, Soler and Jarred Kelenic project as the team's primary outfield trio versus right-handed pitching when all are healthy. Laureano should at least spell the lefty-hitting Kelenic when Atlanta faces lefties.
Laureano will start in right field and bat second in Tuesday's contest against the Phillies.
With Jorge Soler (hamstring) still sidelined and Austin Riley (hand) on the 10-day injured list, Laureano will pick up an eighth consecutive start and will move up to his highest spot in the batting order all season. The 30-year-old has slugged home runs in consecutive games and sports a 1.156 OPS with four long balls across his last 11 contests.
