Braves option Jose Peraza to Triple-A

Jose Peraza won't take the field for the Atlanta Braves on Opening Day, but manager Fredi Gonzalez suggested Monday that the precocious 20-year-old could make his MLB debut shortly thereafter.

"This guy is a player," Gonzalez told MLB.com's Mark Bowman. "He's not ready right now, but he could be ready in a month. He could be ready in two weeks or two months down the road."

Widely regarded as the club's top prospect, Pereza was one of six players reassigned to the minor leagues Monday after the young second baseman notched just one hit in 16 spring at-bats.

"It's all natural and it's all part of it, but this young man has a bright future with us," Gonzalez said. "I liked what I saw. His last five at-bats were a lot better than the ones he had early in Spring Training."

Peraza is considered a major part of the team's future, as the Venezuela native hit .339/.364/.441 with 60 stolen bases over 110 games between High-A Lynchburg and Double-A Mississippi last season.

"We sent him down because we need to see some of the other guys," Gonzalez said. "I told him to go out and keep playing and be prepared."