Jackson Free Press

As the weather finally changes from winter to spring on its way to summer, the sports world moves from football to basketball and finally, to baseball.

This Thursday, March 3, the Mississippi Braves are set to begin their tenth season at Trustmark Park. The Braves moved to Mississippi from Greenville, S.C., in 2005.

Braves fans will get a special treat on opening night as Atlanta Braves pitcher Mike Minor starts the season for the M-Braves. Minor has been with the Double A squad due to tendonitis in his left shoulder.

The lefty pitcher underwent a urinary tract procedure at the end of last year that limited his ability to start early pitching in January. During spring training, the team reduced Minor's schedule, and he was eventually forced to leave early because of soreness in his shoulder.

A native of Chapel Hill, Tenn., the Tampa Bay Rays drafted Minor in the 13th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft. Instead of signing with the Rays, however, Minor chose to attend Vanderbilt University.

Due to baseball rules, Minor couldn't be drafted again for three more years. The Atlanta Braves drafted him seventh overall in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft. He made his major league debut Aug. 10, 2010.

During his time at Vanderbilt, Minor was teammates with Pedro Alvarez and David Price. The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted Alvarez second overall in the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft, and the Rays selected Price first overall in the draft the year before.

This isn't Minor's first time with the M-Braves. He began his career in Pearl before moving on to Triple-A Gwinnett and then on to Atlanta. While with the Mississippi Braves, Minor had a 4.03 ERA and a 2-6 record.

Since moving on to the majors, Minor has a 32-24 record in 86 appearances. He led the Braves in innings pitched with 204.2 last season and led Atlanta in the same category in 2012.

Last season, Minor had a career high of 13 wins for the Braves. He is expected to make two or three rehab starts and must show he can pitch for six innings before he can return to the majors.

The Mississippi Braves earned a wildcard spot in the Southern league Playoffs last season by defeating the Jacksonville Suns. It was the M-Braves' first playoff appearance since their championship season of 2008. The Mobile Baybears defeated the M-Braves three games to one to end their season.

The Mississippi Braves open the 2014 season Thursday, April 3, with game one of a five-game series against the Mobile BayBears. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m. Opening night giveaways include Magnetic Schedules (first 5,000), Foam Tomahawks (first 2,500) and 10th Anniversary Baseballs (first 1,000), all sponsored by the Mississippi Army National Guard. It's also Thirsty Thursday followed by an Opening Night Fireworks Show after the game.