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Baseball notebook: Last-place Braves reshuffle roster, make 7 moves

Atlanta pitcher Mike Foltynewicz, one of seven players the Braves called up Monday, reacts after allowing a first-inning, solo, home run to Mets Lucas Duda of the Mets, the third of three home runs he allowed in the first inning. Fotynewicz also gave up a two-run, home run to the Mets Yoenis Cespedes and a solo home run to the Mets Lucas Duda during the first inning. (Kathy Willens / Associated Press)

The last-place Atlanta Braves reshuffled their roster Monday night, making seven moves while trying to boost a punchless lineup.

The Braves went into the series opener against the New York Mets with a 6-18 record that was the worst in the majors.

They also ranked last in the big leagues in home runs (5), batting average (.226) and slugging percentage (.287) and had scored the fewest runs in the NL (79).

“I don’t think it’s a desperation move,” manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

Right-hander Mike Foltynewicz was called up from Triple-A Gwinnett to face the Mets. The 24-year-old was 1-2 with a 2.05 ERA in four starts in the minors.

Infielder Reid Brignac, infielder/outfielder Chase d’Arnaud and outfielder Matt Tuiasosopo also were promoted from Triple-A. The 30-year-old Brignac, who has played parts of eight seasons in the majors, was in the starting lineup vs. Mets, batting sixth and playing second base.

D’Arnaud is the brother of Mets catcher Travis d’Arnaud, who’s currently on the disabled list. Tuiasosopo has been out of the majors since 2013.

Infielder/outfielder Jace Peterson and righty John Gant were optioned to Triple-A and outfielder Drew Stubbs was designated for assignment.

Stubbs hit .237 with one homer and three RBIs in 38 at-bats.

“Drew Stubbs, we needed a right-handed bat off the bench,” Gonzalez said. “We gave him an opportunity. And he’s a great makeup guy. It’s hard. But now you bring in Brignac and bring in Chase, we feel good.”

Peterson, who turns 26 next week, hit .182 with four RBIs in 20 games.

“Jace Peterson, you sit back and talk to the coaches, sit back and look at him, you go, are we doing this guy any good at the end of the day. Him sitting out there, playing once a twice a week, is it doing him any good, doing us any good? So we sent him out,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez said he called Gwinnett manager Brian Snitker on Sunday to let him know some moves were coming. And to apologize, telling him: “You may not have a team to fill here tonight after we get done.”

In recent years, clubs such as the Astros, Cubs and Mets have been able to reverse their fortunes. With the Braves set to move into a new stadium next year and a couple of top prospects in the minor league system, Gonzalez said he hoped a turnaround was in Atlanta’s future.

“It gives you hope, it really does. When you see the young people coming up, you’re seeing the talent. It gives the fans hope, too,” he said.

“It’s a trust that the fans have got to give our front office. I’ve got to trust our office,” he said. “We had a plan. We kept the plan, and continued doing the plan, like those teams you mentioned, and you’ll see the fruits here shortly.”

Orioles SS Hardy to miss around 6 weeks with broken foot

Baltimore Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy will be sidelined for at least a month with a hairline fracture in his left foot.

The injury occurred Sunday, when Hardy fouled a ball off his foot in the fourth inning against the Chicago White Sox.

Baltimore was off Monday. Manager Buck Showalter said he expected Hardy to be out 4-6 weeks.

Hardy is expected to be placed on the 15-day disabled Tuesday, before the Orioles open a three-game series against the New York Yankees.

A three-time Gold Glove winner, Hardy has played errorless ball over 22 games this season. He’s batting .244 with two homers and eight RBIs.

Manny Machado will likely move from third base to shortstop during Hardy’s absence. Machado has played four games at shortstop this season, including two starts.

The 33-year-old Hardy was limited to 114 games last season because of a variety of injuries.

Dodgers’ pitcher Ravin given 80-game drug suspension

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Josh Ravin has been suspended for 80 games following a positive test under Major League Baseball’s drug program.

Ravin is the eighth player suspended this year under the big league program and the fourth in three weeks. He tested positive for Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 2 (GHRP-2), the commissioner’s office said Monday.

A 28-year-old right-hander, Ravin has been on the disabled list since the start of the season because of a broken left forearm. He was 2-1 with a 6.75 ERA last year in nine relief appearances with the Dodgers in his first major league action. He spent most of the season at Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Ravin will lose $225,137 from his $515,000 salary. The Dodgers said in a statement the team was disappointed.

Red Sox 3B Pablo Sandoval to have surgery on left shoulder

Boston Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval will have surgery on his left shoulder in the next few days.

The team announced Monday the procedure will be performed by Dr. James Andrews in Florida. No timetable was provided for how long Sandoval is expected to be sidelined, and the Red Sox say they will comment after the operation.

Sandoval is in the second season of a $95 million, five-year contract. He’s been on the disabled list since April 13, retroactive to April 11, with a strained shoulder.

A two-time NL All-Star and the 2012 World Series MVP with San Francisco, Sandoval lost his starting job at the end of spring training this year and was benched in favor of Travis Shaw. Sandoval is 0 for 6 with four strikeouts and a walk while appearing in three games, one start.