Braves call up Johnson; Mondesi loses starting job

<p>In a move that could lead to the end of Raul Mondesi's career, the Atlanta Braves called up outfielder Kelly Johnson as the team's new starting left fielder.</p><p>Mondesi, hitting only .211 and struggling physically, was told he lost his starting job in right field. Mondesi was given a couple of days to decide whether he wants to remain with the team in a lesser role.</p><p>Johnson, hitting .310 with eight homers, 22 RBIs and seven stolen bases for Triple-A Richmond, began his minor league career as an infielder but has spent most of this season in the outfield.</p><p>Johnson was 0-for-3 with a walk and an RBI Sunday and threw out a runner at the plate in his major league debut.</p><p>Another rookie, Ryan Langerhans, started in right field and drove in two runs.</p><p>Manager Bobby Cox said after the game that Johnson will be the main left fielder while Langerhans and veteran Brian Jordan share time in right field. Jordan, a right-handed hitter, could see some starts in left field against tough left-handers. Johnson is a left-handed hitter.</p><p>Clearly, Mondesi is not included in the plan.</p><p>"You hate to see it happen," Jordan said. "Raul is a good guy. I like him, but it's a business. My focus has to be on going out and performing and playing a role, whatever it is."</p><p>The 34-year-old Mondesi revealed Saturday he is limited because of a sore right knee, which he attributed to a torn right quadriceps muscle he sustained last season. He said the injury saps his power and speed. He has four homers, 17 RBIs and no steals.</p><p>"His stats look bad, but if you look at it, he won some games for us," Cox said. "He played as hard as he could. He wanted to help."</p><p>Mondesi did not accompany the team on its flight to Washington Sunday night.</p><p>Mondesi said Sunday he hasn't decided whether he wants to prolong his career.</p><p>"I have to call my family and see what they think and decide after that," Mondesi said after meeting with Cox and general manager John Schuerholz.</p><p>Mondesi said being placed on the disabled list isn't an option he discussed with Cox and Schuerholz.</p><p>"I spoke to him in deference of his stature and his career," Schuerholz said. "He's going to take a couple of days to see if he wants to keep playing."</p><p>By Tuesday, the Braves must clear a roster space to activate pitcher Mike Hampton, who is coming off the disabled list to start in Washington. Langerhans, hitting only .190, is out of minor league options.</p><p>Johnson filled the roster spot of rookie pitcher Matt Childers, who was designated for assignment after Saturday's game.</p><p>Schuerholz said he had no regrets about signing Mondesi to a one-year, $1 million base salary with up to $700,000 in incentives.</p><p>"I think it was a fair and reasonable gamble," Schuerholz said. "We hoped to catch lightning in a bottle in terms of his rebounding to his old form. It didn't happen. But you try those things from time to time."</p><p>Schuerholz said Mondesi "is now coming face to face with the possibility that his career may be at an end."</p><p>"The way he's come in here and worked hard and is the first guy in the batting cage and has worked hard, he did all he could to get himself in a condition to help us win, and that's a frustration for him that he wasn't able to do that," Schuerholz said.</p>

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