By Brad Hainje

Atlanta Braves Media Relations

ATLANTA – Atlanta Braves Executive Vice President and General Manager Alex Anthopoulos announced today that Jeff Porter, who formerly served as head athletic trainer, will assume the role of senior advisor, athletic training in 2018. George C. Poulis has been named as the club’s director of player health and head athletic trainer, while Andrew Hauser will become director of performance and assistant athletic trainer. Jim Lovell will remain as assistant athletic trainer.

After 33 seasons with the Braves, including the last 15 as the head athletic trainer, Porter has chosen to step back from his day-to-day duties. He will continue to hold an active role with the training staff and will attend spring training and most regular-season home games, while cutting back on his amount of travel.

Poulis just completed his 15th season as the head athletic trainer with the Blue Jays’ Major League club after serving as the assistant athletic trainer for three years. Prior to the Blue Jays, he was an athletic trainer in the San Diego Padres’ minor league system for 10 years. Poulis began his career in professional sports in 1986 as an athletic training intern for the NFL’s Cleveland Browns.

A Cleveland native, Poulis earned his undergraduate degree from Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio, and earned his master’s degree from the University of Alabama. He and his wife Jenny reside in Florida with their three daughters, Lainey, Evy and Nicki.

Hauser came to Atlanta following the 2015 season and will begin his third season with the club in 2018. Lovell will enter his 34th year in the Braves organization and his 16th campaign with the Major League club.