Braves recall Lillibridge

Associated Press

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves recalled infielder Brent Lillibridge from Class AAA Richmond on Saturday and optioned left-handed pitcher Jeff Ridgway to Richmond.

Lillibridge, who played at Jackson High School and the University of Washington, is a shortstop who also can play third base and other positions. He should have plenty of work after the Braves had shortstop Yunel Escobar and third baseman Chipper Jones leave Friday night’s game with injuries.

Escobar, who suffered a strained right hip flexor, was held out of Saturday night’s lineup after trying to convince manager Bobby Cox he could play.

Jones aggravated a strained right quadriceps and is expected to miss at least two games.

Lillibridge was 0-for-8 and drove in one run in his first stint with Atlanta in April.

Lillibridge was hitting .207 at Richmond but had three-hit games on Friday and Saturday at Syracuse. He had 15 stolen bases in 54 games.

Cox listed Omar Infante and Ruben Gotay as his starters at shortstop and third base for Saturday night’s game against Seattle.

“(Lillibridge) is our only extra infielder,” Cox said, adding he didn’t want to send Ridgway back to Richmond “but we had no choice. Somebody had to go, because we had to make a move.”

Ridgway had a 4.15 ERA in four appearances.