Mike Minor tossed four scoreless innings, striking out four, as the Braves and Marlins played to a 2-2 tie on Tuesday. Maybe it's time to pop open that champagne that went unused last fall. The losing streak is over, or at least halted for a day. Minor allowed just one hit and walked one in the game. With nine scoreless innings so far, he's pretty well locked into a rotation spot now. Of course, he'll still have to pitch well in April to hold on to it after Tim Hudson returns.

Despite allowing three hits and walking two, Mike Minor shut out the Orioles for three innings on Thursday. He didn't strike out anyone, but he managed to keep the runners from scoring. Atlanta's likely fourth starter, he's thrown five scoreless innings this spring.

Mike Minor will start the Braves' Grapefruit League opener Saturday against the Tigers. Randall Delgado will make the start on Sunday, also against the Tigers. Since Tim Hudson (back) is expected to miss the first month of the season, both Minor and Delgado have a good chance of leaving spring training with rotation spots.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com hears that Braves' people were "annoyed" by Mike Minor suggesting that he would ask for a trade if he doesn't make the rotation and is sent to the minors. It was an odd ultimatum by Minor, who is expected to make the starting rotation out of spring training and has a good chance of remaining the fifth starter even after Tim Hudson (back) returns in May. The 24-year-old southpaw has a 4.74 ERA and 120/40 K/BB ratio over his first 123 1/3 innings in the big leagues and makes for a nice late-round pick in mixed fantasy formats.

Mike Minor had an inefficient outing Sunday, allowing one run on six hits and two walks over just 4 2/3 innings in a loss to the Nationals. He struck out five, and the lone blemish was a solo shot served up to Wilson Ramos, but manager Fredi Gonzalez didn't waste time in pulling Minor after he got into trouble in the fifth. He finishes the year with a 4.14 ERA and 1.49 WHIP, failing to post a quality start in his last four outings. Despite this, Minor might be needed for the playoff rotation. He should also have a shot to make the starting five out of spring training next year.

Mike Minor was solid in a no-decision Tuesday, giving up just one run on four hits and four walks over 5 2/3 innings in a 7-1 win over the Marlins. He struck out five. Minor could have picked up the win had he lasted one more batter, as the Braves took the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth inning. He has gone 5-0 in his last 10 starts, posting a 3.83 ERA over that span. He'll square off against the Marlins again next week.

Mike Minor will be available out of the bullpen Tuesday and Wednesday. Minor hasn't pitched in a week due to Hurricane Irene and Monday's scheduled day off, so he may get some work in early this week. The young left-hander is slated to make his next start Saturday against the Dodgers.

Sunday's game between the Braves and Mets has been postponed due to Hurricane Irene. No makeup date has been announced. Saturday's game will also be moved up from 4 PM ET to 1 PM. Mike Minor seems likely to be skipped now with the Braves having an off day Monday, while Dillon Gee should be pushed back a day to start one of the games of Monday's doubleheader with the Marlins.

Mike Minor allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits in five innings of work on Tuesday, improving to 4-2 in Atlanta's 5-4 win over the Cubs in Chicago. He struck out six and walked none. Minor is now 3-0 with a 4.03 ERA and 26/4 K/BB ratio over 22 1/3 innings since rejoining the Braves rotation on August 7. He's worth an own in most mixed leagues.

Mike Minor shut down the feeble Giants lineup Thursday, shutting them out over six innings on just four hits and a walk while striking out nine in the 1-0 win. Yes, it was the Giants, whose bats can be silence by just about anyone these days, but it was an impressive outing from the 23-year-old, easily his best since being recalled earlier this month. Tommy Hanson is expected to miss at least another 10 days or so while dealing with a shoulder ailment, but the Braves will be OK with Minor holding down the fort. He'll face the Cubs next week.