Braves bench slumping All-Star 2B Dan Uggla

By Charles Odum

Associated Press

Published: Monday, Sept. 3 2012 10:25 a.m. MDT

Atlanta Braves second baseman Dan Uggla, left, turns a double play on Philadelphia Phillies' Erik Kratz (31) off the bat of Phillies' Michael Martinez during the second inning of a baseball game on Friday, Aug. 31, 2012, at Turner Field in Atlanta.

Gregory Smith, Associated Press

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Summary

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez is benching three-time All-Star second baseman Dan Uggla.

ATLANTA — Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez is benching three-time All-Star second baseman Dan Uggla.

Uggla is hitting only .208. Martin Prado is starting at second base against Colorado on Monday for the second straight day.

Gonzalez was Uggla's manager with the Florida Marlins before Atlanta. He says the decision to bench Uggla was "uncomfortable" and "hard, especially with the relationship I have with him."

Uggla started in this year's All-Star game.

The versatile Prado has been the Braves' left fielder most of the season.

Gonzalez says Uggla, who has 17 homers, could win back the starting job.

The Braves also are without catcher Brian McCann for the second straight day. McCann was given a cortisone shot in his sore right shoulder after Saturday's game and could return on Tuesday.

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