Stadium Workers On The Ball

Spring training

Although Turner Field is still crowded with hundreds of construction workers, Atlanta Braves officials insist the bulk of the project will be completed in time for the first exhibition game Saturday against the New York Yankees.

The grass field has been installed, the scoreboard is operational and crews are scrambling to finish numerous other details in time for the opening game at the 49,000-seat stadium.

“What has to be done? Decorating, basically,” Braves president Stan Kasten said Monday while giving reporters a tour of the facility. “We also have a lot of work to do at the concession stands, getting equipment in and things like that. But it will be done. On Saturday, 90 percent of the decorating will be done.”

Kasten looked out on the field, where sprinklers watered the outfield grass and workers prepped the dirt around home plate.

“As you can see, we could play a game here today if we had to,” Kasten said, a somewhat optimistic assessment considering the number of workers still on the site.

They are working to complete the stadium’s conversion from an 85,000-seat track and field facility used during last summer’s Olympics.

After two exhibition games this weekend, the Braves will open the regular season with three games at Houston before returning to Turner Field for the home opener April 4 against the Chicago Cubs.

Comeback sidetracked

Andy Van Slyke’s comeback bid with the St. Louis Cardinals is on hold due to a leg injury.

Van Slyke, 36, is hitting .545 in spring training and appeared to have won a backup outfield spot. He had retired last season due to back woes.

Van Slyke failed to make it past his second at-bat Saturday with what he fears might be a torn left calf muscle. He said he doesn’t anticipate being ready for opening day.

Carter not seriously injured

Toronto first baseman Joe Carter has no serious damage to his hand and should be back in the Blue Jays’ lineup this week.

He was injured fielding a ball during a spring training game with the Chicago White Sox on Sunday.

Notable

The Cleveland Indians received permission from the commissioner’s office to put Jose Mesa on the restricted list while the closer is on trial for rape. The ruling means Cleveland will not have to start the season a player short… . Veteran Cleveland pitcher Jack McDowell was scratched from his scheduled start Monday against the New York Yankees because of a slightly strained abdominal muscle.