Latest Baseball News:Matt Diaz Returns to the Braves
Article Summary:
Last season, Diaz hit .313 with 13 homers, 58 RBIs and 56 runs.
Article Content:
Matt Diaz had a breakout season last year with the Atlanta Braves. The Braves rewarded Diaz with a new one-year contract worth about .5 million. The 31-year-old right fielder is expected to start for Atlanta in 2010.
Last season, Diaz hit .313 with 13 homers, 58 RBIs and 56 runs. He also had 12 stolen bases and an on-base precentage of .390. Diaz was especially dominant against lefties — hitting .412 with an on-base percentage of .464.
Although he got off to a relatively slow start, Diaz dialed it up late in the campaign. After the All-Star break, he hit .321 with nine homers, 36 RBIs and 30 runs.
On Saturday, the Braves also let go of Kelly Johnson, who had spent much of the last three seasons as the team’s starting second baseman. But after losing his starting gig, the Braves decided to cut their ties with the 27-year-old former top prospect. Martin Prado, who beat out Johnson last year, will likely return as the starting second baseman in 2010.
Matt Diaz re-signed with the Braves (Image: Zuma Press)
Post from: Knuckle Curve
———————
Tags:atlanta-braves, kelly johnson, martin prado, matt diaz, matt diaz contract, News, Transactions