he gone

Mike Minor, the Southern League leader in strikeouts and an All-Star Futures Game selection, was promoted from the Double-A Mississippi Braves to Triple-A Gwinnett today. Good for him, not so good for the M-Braves’ hopes of making a second-half run. His place will be taken by right-hander Tim Gustafson, a quality arm who has been with the M-Braves before. But Minor, Atlanta’s first-round pick last year, was a special talent, and he was only beginning to blossom. Gustafson was 7-5 with a 5.87 ERA at Gwinnett. He made two appearances with the M-Braves earlier this season after going 2-3, 3.79 in Pearl in 2009. The M-Braves also lost veteran infielder Juan Gonzalez, who was hitting just .206 and was out of place as an everyday shortstop. He was released. Gonzalez’s best value might have been as a leader for the many young Latins on the club. His roster spot will be taken by Luis Bolivar, a true shortstop who began the year here before getting bumped to Gwinnett. Bolivar hit .263 but made 10 errors in 22 games during his first stint.