Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said he has not decided on a winner of the third base competition between Juan Francisco and Chris Johnson.

Both went into Wednesday's game hitting well, as Francisco has batted .294 with two doubles, two homers and five RBI, while Johnson has hit .314 with a double, two homers and six RBI. Gonzalez views them as "about the same (defensively)." Ultimately, the Braves will likely go with a platoon at the position, with Francisco on the strong side against right-handers.

Juan Francisco continued his strong start to Grapefruit League play Thursday, smashing a solo homer in a loss to the Tigers.

The blast came off of Brayan Villarreal in the seventh inning. Francisco is now batting .370 with two homers, two doubles and five RBI over his first 27 spring at-bats. The 25-year-old is expected to represent the strong side of a platoon with Chris Johnson at third base this season.

Juan Francisco went 2-for-4 and hit a three-run homer as the Braves' designated hitter Wednesday in a 5-3 win over the Tigers.

Both Braves third-base candidates did well today, as Chris Johnson went 2-for-2 with an RBI before being removed. A platoon, with Francisco playing versus righties and Johnson starting against lefties, is a possibility. Because of his power, Francisco has the greater upside for fantasy purposes.

David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes that the Braves "would be fairly comfortable" with Martin Prado splitting time with Reed Johnson in left field and Juan Francisco at third base.

The plan has been to move Prado in from the outfield to take Chipper Jones' spot at third, but the Braves have yet to sign a left fielder to make that move possible. It still seems pretty likely it will happen, but if not, Francisco would start against right-handers and Johnson would start against lefties.

David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Juan Francisco will get a chance as Braves' everyday third baseman next season.

With Chipper Jones retiring, Francisco is an obvious candidate for an expanded role. O'Brien also believes that Martin Prado could be moved from left field to third base to replace Jones. An offseason acquisition can't be ruled out, either.

Juan Francisco smashed an RBI double on Tuesday, accounting for the Braves' lone run in a losing effort against the Pirates.

He finished the night 1-for-4. Francisco has had minimal success in his first season in Atlanta, hitting .239/.284/.441 with nine homers and 31 RBI in his 188 at-bats. With Chipper Jones' impending retirement, Francisco is the leading candidate to assume the everyday role at third base unless the Braves acquire another option from outside the organization.

Juan Francisco was able to play the role of hero on Friday, delivering a pinch-hit walkoff single, giving the Braves a 4-3 victory over the Dodgers in 11 innings.

After the first two hitters were retired in the Braves half of the 11th, they strung together a pair of singles to put runners on first and third. Francisco was called upon to hit for Jonny Venters and lined a sharp single to left field off Brandon League to give the Braves the victory. He has seen a sharp decrease in his playing time recently with Chipper Jones proving to be healthy, but remains a very capable backup option.

Juan Francisco went 3-for-4 with an RBI single in Saturday's loss to the Nationals.

With Chipper Jones (calf) back on the DL, Francisco is going to get the majority of starts at third base. He's hitting just .226 in 84 at-bats on the season, but does have five homers. Remember that he slugged 27 homers while playing in the minors back in 2009 -- the last time he received regular starts.

Juan Francisco struck out all three times he was up Thursday against the Phillies.

Francisco has three homers in 43 at-bats, but it comes with a .209 average and a dreadful 16/1 K/BB ratio. It's that lack of plate discipline that could prevent him from making it as a regular in the majors.

Juan Francisco hit his third home run of the season in Sunday's loss to the Diamondbacks.

Francisco's at-bats have been limited thanks to Chipper Jones' return, but he's still displaying the raw power he was known for as a prospect in the Reds' organization. Francisco now has three homers and seven RBI in just 28 at-bats. He'll be a name to watch if/when Jones hits the DL.

Juan Francisco will make his Braves debut in Saturday's game against the Mets.

Manager Fredi Gonzalez plans to use Francisco at third base and move Martin Prado to left field against right-handers whenever Chipper Jones (knee) is out. Francisco was acquired from the Reds for pitching prospect J.J. Hoover earlier this week.

Braves acquired 3B Juan Francisco from the Reds in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect J.J. Hoover.

Francisco didn't put himself in the Reds' good graces by showing up to camp overweight, and, despite showing some power this spring, he's batted under .200 while striking out 16 times over 51 at-bats. But, he has huge raw power and could handle third base until Chipper Jones (knee) is ready, pushing Martin Prado back to left field.

Juan Francisco hit a solo homer and contributed a sac fly Thursday against the Brewers.

Francisco showed up to camp overweight, which drew some comments from Reds manager Dusty Baker, and he's now batting just .170 with 16 strikeouts and zero walks over 47 at-bats this spring. He has gone deep three times, though, and will serve as a power bat off the bench this year for Cincy.

Juan Francisco belted a two-run homer in Thursday's win over the Brewers.

Francisco failed to reach base in his four other plate appearances, but he got to Frankie De La Cruz in the fifth inning. Manager Dusty Baker was not pleased with Francisco showing up to camp overweight, but the best way to work his way back into the manager's good graces is to hit a few over the boards.

Reds manager Dusty Baker said Tuesday that Juan Francisco showed up to spring training overweight.

Francisco has been limited since arriving in camp due to mild calf discomfort. "He's got time but he's behind," Baker told reporters. "Part of that is if he had rehabbed properly in the winter time. Part of that is he came into camp as one of the few guys overweight." Francisco is expected to serve as insurance at third base this year behind veteran Scott Rolen.

Juan Francisco hasn't been able to participate in spring drills due to lingering calf discomfort.

Francisco suffered a right calf strain this offseason while playing with Tigres del Licey in the Dominican Winter League. "He's getting better," Reds manager Dusty Baker said Tuesday. "That's all I can tell you."

Juan Francisco was robbed at gunpoint Tuesday night in his native Dominican Republic.

The good news is that Francisco was not injured. The 24-year-old is currently playing with Tigres del Licey in the Dominican Winter League.

Juan Francisco went 4-for-5 with a double and an RBI in Cincinnati's 10-inning win over the Cardinals on Sunday.

Francisco finished the Reds' three-game swing through St. Louis 6-for-12 with a home run, two doubles and six RBI. He's worth a look in deeper NL-only leagues down the stretch.

Juan Francisco had a big night Friday, doubling in two runs and homering in three more in a win over the Cardinals.

Francisco was just recalled and has started two straight games at third base, going hitless Thursday before tonight's showing. He's always posted big numbers at Triple-A and should continue to see time at the hot corner with Scott Rolen out, making him a worthy NL-only league play.

Reds recalled 3B Juan Francisco from Triple-A Louisville.

Francisco made the Reds' Opening Day roster, but hasn't appeared in the majors since being placed on the disabled in mid-April with a calf strain. The 24-year-old batted .307/.334/.540 with 15 homers, 50 RBI and an .874 OPS over 314 plate appearances with Triple-A Louisville this season. He still doesn't have a lick of patience, but the Reds will likely give him a look at third base down the stretch. Worth monitoring in NL-only leagues.