Uggla left off Braves' NLDS roster
Second baseman Dan Uggla is not included on the Atlanta Braves' 25-man roster for the National League Division Series that the team released Wednesday.
Uggla, the Braves' highest paid player at $13 million, struggled this season, batting .179 with 22 home runs and 55 RBIs. Since returning from August eye surgery, Uggla was hitting .133 and had struck out 25 times.
Elliot Johnson is expected to take the 33-year-old Uggla's place at second base in the opening playoff series.
Others left off the NLDS roster were left-handers Paul Maholm (10-11) and Scott Downs. Maholm had 26 starts during the regular season. Downs was used out of the bullpen since coming to the Braves from the Angels, but he had a 3.86 ERA in 14 innings for Atlanta.
With Maholm not on the roster, manager Fredi Gonzalez will use 36-year-old Freddy Garcia as a fourth starter, if necessary.
The Braves face the Los Angeles Dodgers at 8:30 p.m. ET Thursday at Turner Field in the best-of-five division series opener.
