With Escobar out, Lillibridge to debut

NEW YORK -- If his finger continues to improve, the Braves likely won't have to put Yunel Escobar on the disabled list. But with his availability in doubt over the course of the next few days, they've promoted Brett Lillibridge from Triple-A Richmond.

Lillibridge learned he was getting his first call to the Majors late Friday night, and by the time he arrived at Shea Stadium on Saturday morning, he learned that he was just a few hours away from making his Major League debut as the Braves' starting shortstop.

"It's pretty cool," said Lillibridge, a speedy infielder who was obtained from the Pirates last year. "It's a dream come true. ... Whether I get a hit or not, I'm going to enjoy this."

To make room for Lillibridge on the 25-man roster, the Braves optioned right-handed reliever Phil Stockman to Richmond. Stockman was promoted on Friday to provide some depth in the bullpen. But with scheduled off-days on Monday and Thursday, manager Bobby Cox feels comfortable carrying an 11-man pitching staff.

Lillibridge learned of his promotion just a few hours after Escobar badly bruised the top of his right index finger during the first inning of Friday night's series opener against the Mets. He suffered the injury when a Mike Pelfrey sinker jammed his finger into his bat during a sacrifice bunt attempt.

Escobar's fingernail cracked and it's unknown when he'll regain the necessary feeling in the top of his finger to be able to consistently make accurate throws. The 25-year-old shortstop, who is hitting .310 with three homers this season, was still sore and wearing a wrap around his finger on Saturday morning.

"He might be able to hit before he can throw," said Cox, who remains hopeful that Escobar might return to the lineup for Tuesday's series opener against the Nationals.

Lillibridge recorded just five hits in his first 50 at-bats with Richmond this year and only recently started fighting his way out of his early season slump. With a three-hit game on Friday night, the 25-year-old shortstop raised his batting average to .195.

"I definitely didn't see hitting .200 and being up here," said Lillibridge, who has recorded more than 40 stolen bases in both of the past two seasons. "But it's at the right time for me."

Lillibridge, who possesses a reliable glove and strong arm, has hit .275 (11-for-40) over his past 10 games for Richmond. He provides the Braves the confidence at shortstop that they wouldn't have had with Martin Prado, who is more comfortable playing the second and third base positions.

With Chipper Jones also out of Saturday's lineup with back spasms, Prado served as the starting third baseman.