ohhh mexico

A host of 2009 Mississippi Braves are spending their winter vacation in Mexico — and seem to be enjoying themselves. Outfielder Concepcion Rodriguez, who’ll likely be back in Pearl next year, is hitting .280 with six RBIs through 14 games. Starting pitcher Tim Gustafson is 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA, and reliever Brett Butts has three saves and a 3.86 ERA in eight appearances. Those three are playing for Navojoa. Left-hander Edgar Osuna, with Mazatlan, has a 2.25 ERA in four relief appearances. … In Venezuela, Ernesto Mejia, the 6-foot-6 first baseman who missed most of the 2009 season rehabbing a knee injury, is at .269 with two homers and seven RBIs in six games, while lefty Jose Ortegano is 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA in three starts. (Also playing in Venezuela: ex-Jackson General Richard Hidalgo and the unforgettable former Senator Selwyn Langaigne.) … Meanwhile, back in the U.S.A., Freddie Freeman, who could well be back at first base for the M-Braves in 2010, hit his first home run in the Arizona Fall League today. He is hitting just .222. Brandon Hicks, the likely M-Braves shortstop in 2010, has been hot at .296. Jason Heyward has been out of action with a buttocks (no joke) injury.