Jair

Jurrjens

Jurrjens, 20, is 3-0 with a 2.04 ERA, 40 H and 47/6 K/BB in 53 IP. The native of Curacao lacks big-time stuff, but he could be a potential fourth or fifth starter for the Tigers.

Jurrjens is slated to throw a longer bullpen session on Wednesday. He is still doubtful to pitch during the postseason, but is at least making some progress. The 25-year-old right-hander hasn’t pitched since August 30 due to a right knee strain.

It’s highly unlikely, though, and Jurrjens isn’t expected to be ready for the NLDS, either. He threw three innings in an instructional league appearance on Saturday and appears to be doing better, but with the long layoff and his stamina not built up, he’s simply running out of time.

The Braves decided to go ahead and let Jurrjens make the start even though they were eliminated from the playoffs, and it sounds like the decision paid off. “He was up to 91 (mph) and looked like Jair,” Wren said. “He was pretty dominant and felt good coming out. So of all the bad things the last few days, that was really a positive. He would have been in line to start on of the playoff game based on what we saw last night.” It sounds like Jurrjens will be able to have a normal offseason and enter spring training at 100 percent.

Jurrjens walked six last time out. Today, he issued just one free pass, but he was knocked around pretty good, giving up six singles and three doubles. Atlanta’s probable Opening Day starter has a 9.72 ERA through three turns.

Jurrjens gave up seven hits (including two homers) to go along with three walks and three strikeouts. His velocity was down a few ticks from normal, so the Mets’ hitters didn’t have a problem squaring him up. Even if he can avoid any problems with his knee, we’re not optimistic about his chances of repeating his 2.96 ERA from last year.

Jurrjens was optioned to Triple-A last week after being wildly inconsistent and struggling with a 9.37 ERA through his first four starts. He’ll have to regain his velocity and his confidence before he returns to the Braves’ rotation.

Jurrjens gave up just four hits while striking out four and walking three. He threw 54 out of 93 pitches for strikes and topped out at 90 mph on his fastball. It’s a step in the right direction, though he’ll need to do more to earn his way back to the big leagues. He had an ugly 9.37 and 8/10 K/BB ratio in four starts prior to his demotion.

Things obviously can change between now and Opening Day, but Jurrjens will start Monday in the Braves’ third Grapefruit League game and would be in line for the April 5 start against the Mets if he got the ball every five days. Tommy Hanson would follow Jurrjens and would precede Brandon Beachy, Mike Minor and Julio Teheran or Randall Delgado. Jurrjens’ 2011 season ended early due to his balky knee, but he’s been wearing a brace during workouts this spring and is feeling good.

Raburn gave up two homers and pitched just one scoreless innings in his five frames. It’s just spring training, but as much as he’s struggling right now, it looks like there’s a pretty good chance a poor April is on the way. We weren’t recommending him anyway.