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Gerald Laird | Catcher

Team: Atlanta Braves
Age / DOB:  (33) / 11/13/1979
Ht / Wt:  6'1' / 225
Bats / Throws: Right / Right
College: Cypress (CA) JC
Contract: view contract details
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Latest News

Recent News

Gerald Laird (calf) is in the Braves' lineup Saturday.
Laird hasn't played the last week while dealing with a calf injury. The 33-year-old will open the season as the Braves' starting catcher with Brian McCann (shoulder) sidelined, but is doubtful to carry any fantasy value. Mar 9 - 9:59 AM
Source: David O'Brien on Twitter

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Player News

Date:
Gerald Laird - C - Braves

Braves signed C Gerald Laird to a two-year contract.

Financial terms aren't known. The deal was reported Thursday and has now become official after Laird passed his physical. The 33-year-old will have to start for the first few weeks of the season while Brian McCann recovers from shoulder surgery before then sliding into a backup role.
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 02:27:00 PM
Gerald Laird - C - Braves

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that the Braves have reached an agreement with Gerald Laird.

Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but MLB.com's Mark Bowman hears that it's going to be a two-year contract. Laird will serve as Brian McCann's primary backup in Atlanta after batting .282/.337/.374 in 191 plate appearances with Detroit in 2012. The 33-year-old catcher is doubtful to carry any fantasy value.
Related: Braves
Source: Ken Rosenthal on Twitter
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 11:47:00 AM
Gerald Laird - C - Braves

According to MLB.com's Mark Bowman, the Braves are nearing an agreement with catcher Gerald Laird.

The 33-year-old will fill the backup job left vacant by David Ross, who signed a two-year deal with the Red Sox earlier this week. Laird hit .282/.337/.374 with two homers and 11 RBI in 191 plate appearances this past season for the American League-champion Tigers.
Related: Braves
Source: Mark Bowman on Twitter
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 09:06:00 AM
Gerald Laird - C - Braves

Tigers manager Jim Leyland announced Saturday night that he'll use his regular lefty lineup when the Tigers face Tommy Milone in Game 2 of the ALDS on Sunday.

This means that Alex Avila, who had two hits (including a solo homer) on Saturday, will give way to Gerald Laird behind the plate. Avisail Garcia will draw the start in right field, with Andy Dirks likely switching to left and Quintin Berry sitting.
Related: Alex Avila, Avisail Garcia
Source: Jason Beck on Twitter
Sat, Oct 6, 2012 10:03:00 PM
Gerald Laird - C - Braves

Gerald Laird (hamstring) went 1-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout in his return to action Monday.

It was Laird's first game action since tweaking his left hamstring last Wednesday. The Tigers may lean on him for more regular work behind the plate with Alex Avila (knee) ailing.
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 08:36:00 AM
Gerald Laird - C - Braves

Gerald Laird (hamstring) is available Thursday.

Laird left Wednesday's game after appearing to strain his left hamstring, but it was apparently just a tweak. The 32-year-old backup will avoid the 15-day disabled list.
Source: MLive.com
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 10:54:00 AM
Gerald Laird - C - Braves

Gerald Laird left Wednesday's game in the fifth inning with a strained left hamstring.

Laird tagged up and went from first to second base on a flyout but then walked off the field before the next pitch was thrown. He had a right hamstring ailment earlier this month. This one will likely result in a disabled list stint with Alex Avila due back Thursday.
Source: Jason Beck on Twitter
Wed, Jun 20, 2012 08:36:00 PM
Gerald Laird - C - Braves

Gerald Laird went 2-for-4 in his return to the lineup Friday.

Laird is the Tigers' starting catcher with Alex Avila (hamstring) on the disabled list. Bryan Holaday will continue to serve as depth.
Sat, Jun 9, 2012 03:29:00 AM
Gerald Laird - C - Braves

Gerald Laird is scheduled to test his injured right hamstring Friday with a round of batting practice.

Laird hasn't played since straining his hamstring on Tuesday. The veteran backstop is hitting .300/.333/.480 in 55 plate appearances this season for Detroit.
Source: Jason Beck on Twitter
Thu, Jun 7, 2012 01:06:00 PM
Gerald Laird - C - Braves

Gerald Laird hit a double and scored a run in Wednesday's loss to the Mariners.

Laird is filling in at catcher for Alex Avila, who has come down with knee soreness and could be out a few more games. The 32-year-old veteran carries no fantasy value.
Thu, May 10, 2012 10:02:00 AM
Gerald Laird - C - Braves

Gerald Laird is recovering well from a left hamstring injury that he suffered in an exhibition game Wednesday.

The hamstring is evidently more of a concern than the knee now, but it doesn't sound like either ailment will keep him from being available to play. He'll be ready to back up Alex Avila on Saturday.
Source: Detroit News
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 10:47:00 AM
Gerald Laird - C - Braves

Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Thursday that Gerald Laird (knee) is "fine" for Opening Day.

Laird sprained his left knee near the end of spring training when he collided with teammate Don Kelly. The 32-year-old catcher will back up Alex Avila this season.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Thu, Apr 5, 2012 10:42:00 AM
Gerald Laird - C - Braves

Gerald Laird (knee) thinks he'll be sidelined "only couple of days."

"Glad I did not blow it out," Laird said of his left knee following a collision with third baseman Don Kelly Friday. He's been diagnosed with a sprain, and evidently no further tests will be required.
Source: Tom Gage on Twitter
Fri, Mar 30, 2012 02:48:00 PM
Gerald Laird - C - Braves

Gerald Laird left Friday's game with a left knee injury after colliding with third baseman Don Kelly while trying to field a pop-up.

The Tigers are calling it a sprain for now, but we'll know more after he undergoes further testing. If Laird has to miss significant time, the Tigers will likely bring Omir Santos back from minor league camp or could pursue outside help like Ivan Rodriguez.
Fri, Mar 30, 2012 02:14:00 PM

Depth Charts

Batters
PosRoleName
C1Brian McCann
2Gerald Laird
3Evan Gattis
1B1Freddie Freeman
2B1Dan Uggla
2Blake DeWitt
SS1Andrelton Simmons
2Ramiro Pena
3B1Chris Johnson
2Juan Francisco
3Ramiro Pena
LF1Justin Upton
2Reed Johnson
CF1B.J. Upton
2Jordan Schafer
RF1Jason Heyward
Starting Pitcher
PosRoleName
S1Tim Hudson
2Kris Medlen
3Paul Maholm
4Mike Minor
5Julio Teheran
6Brandon Beachy
Relief Pitcher
PosRoleName
R1Craig Kimbrel
2Jonny Venters
3Eric O'Flaherty
4Jordan Walden
5Luis Ayala
6Cristhian Martinez
7Luis Avilan
8Cory Gearrin
9Anthony Varvaro
10David Carpenter
11Cory Rasmus