Braves relegate Uggla to bench
All-Star Dan Uggla has lost his job as the Atlanta Braves' everyday second baseman.
Uggla has struggled the past three months and manager Fredi Gonzalez announced that Martin Prado would be the starter at second for the next few weeks. Prado replaced Uggla in the Braves' lineup Monday against the Colorado Rockies.
"It's not a doghouse situation," Gonzalez said. "It's a situation where you feel you have to do something for the team."
Since June 6, Uggla's numbers are ugly at the plate. He has hit .152 during that span, which ranks last in the major leagues. His .276 slugging percentage in the past 73 games is second to last in the majors.
For the season, Uggla is batting .208 with 17 homers and 64 RBI.
His streak of five straight 30-homer seasons likely will end.
"I understand what my numbers are," Uggla said. "I'm not blind to any of that, but at the same time, I'm part of the team that got us to where we are now. Numbers do not mean anything to me in September. Some people don't see it that way.
"Do I agree with it? No. But it's not my call. All I can do is pull for my teammates and do what I can when I get an opportunity."
