Uggla Clobbers HR with New CLs

Sports Media 101 reports that "Dan Uggla has been notoriously streaky through his first two years with the Atlanta Braves, but getting his vision checked last month has led to enormously increased productivity and confidence at the plate. In the first 67 games he played in 2013, Uggla hit an awful .194, but with 13 homers. Entering Monday, Uggla has hit .277 with three homers over his last 12 games, and he largely gives credit to his new contact lenses." Read more and see video of his 16th HR.

Uggla and Wood of the Braves Plop in New CLs

“Dan Uggla returned to the Braves lineup Friday night in Milwaukee, wearing newly fitted contact lenses and hopeful that it will make a difference in what’s been an uphill struggle at the plate,” reports the Atlanta Journal & Constitution. “Uggla entered the series against the Brewers hitting .194, with 92 strikeouts in 227 at-bats. He was diagnosed with astigmatism in spring training and tried contacts then, but he didn’t see immediate improvement with contacts and quit wearing them….He hopes to wear contacts for the remainder of the season and have laser surgery after the season. Uggla said doctors estimated he would need a two-week stint on the disabled list to recover from surgery…..Braves left-hander Alex Wood has had his own problems with astigmatism as well. The rookie reliever was fitted for contacts Thursday and was wearing them Friday in Milwaukee. Wood originally tried pitching in glasses, but had to wear regular glasses because his prescription sport goggles haven’t arrived. But during a spot start Tuesday afternoon against the Mets, his glasses kept falling off as he sweated in the heat of the day, and he eventually just put them in his pocket.” Read more.

Braves Freeman Struggling to See with CLs, Glasses, and Goggles

The New York Times has run a great story about Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman's struggle to see at the plate. It begins this way: "A hitter is nothing without his eyes, which is why anxiety gripped Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman last month when his vision started blurring. What if his career was being sideswiped? A hitter might as well have a Wiffle ball bat in his hands if he goes to the plate and his vision is not right. Freeman, 22 and in his second season as the Braves’ regular first baseman, was scared, and rightfully so." Read more.

Braves Freeman Waits on Bench for Sports Goggles

" Freddie Freeman has learned he can no longer wear contact lenses or have the peripheral vision necessary to hit while wearing glasses. The first baseman can only patiently wait on the arrival of sports goggles, with the hope they will alleviate the vision problems that have bothered him for three weeks," reports Braves.com. "Under Armour and Oakley both said they needed approximately a week to construct a prescription set of goggles for Freeman. There is some hope that at least one pair of these goggles might arrive by Tuesday." Read more.

Braves Sit Freeman with Dry Eye

"The Braves were also without first baseman Freddie Freeman Sunday night as he continues to battle blurry vision caused by dry eyes," reports the Atlanta Journal Constitution. "Freeman, who also missed Saturday’s game, told team trainers before the game he was still experiencing the issue. Eric Hinske started at first base. Freeman has tried different combination of contact lenses, sports goggles, eye drops and diet to try to alleviate the issue, which first arose in Colorado at the beginning of the month. 'We are going to take our time,' Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. 'The doctor said it’s a process. It’s a process of getting the right glasses and the right contacts and the right mixture of [eye] solution. … He has to be patient. He can’t go through 12 pairs of contacts in one night. That isn’t going help.'" Read more.

Braves Eye Doc Gets Freeman Seeing Straight

"1B Freddie Freeman was back in the lineup after another session with the Braves team eye doctor Friday morning, where he tried many, many different styles of contact lenses before settling on some that keep his eyes moist. But he also has some new sports glasses to wear as a backup," according to a post on the Chicago Tribune. Read more.

Freddie Freeman Sidelined by Dry Eye

"Freddie Freeman admits he’s had 'no chance' trying to hit and field with dry eyes caused by contact lenses in the past month," according to an Atlanta Consitution blog. "'I’m seeing two balls and I’m just guessing, en when I’m hitting,' the Braves first baseman said. 'It got to the point where I couldn’t do it anymore.' Freeman spent several hours Friday morning with team eye doctors. He was fitted with yet another pair of contact lenses, a set he hopes won’t dry out his eyes which has led to blurry vision. He was also fitted with a pair of prescription glasses, assembled in two hours, which he can wear if the contacts don’t work." Read more.

Freddie Freeman Sits Out Game Because of Dry Eye

"Freddie Freeman didn't start Thursday because he continues to have issues with his contact lenses. Freeman left a game on earlier this month due to blurred vision in his right eye and had trouble picking up a throw from shortstop Tyler Pastornicky on Wednesday night. The team ordered special sports goggles for Freeman, but they have not yet been delivered. Eric Hinske made the start at first base on Thursday night." That's the post from Fantasy Baseball Breaking News. 

Freeman's Eye Trouble Continues

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that "Freddie Freeman  spent part of his weekend switching between glasses and various contact lenses and trying out assorted eye drops in a somewhat successful effort to alleviate his dry eyes." The Atlanta Braves first baseman has been struggling even since the Braves played the Rockies in Denver this past week. Read more.