Ozzie Albies returned to the Braves’ lineup for Thursday’s series opener against the Dodgers.
Albies left Friday’s game in Washington with hamstring tightness, and the Braves chose to rest him three games, their usual cautious approach.
“We were confident,” manager Brian Snitker said. “He checked all the boxes they wanted to see, ran the bases, feels good. We’ll re-evaluate after the game and see where he’s at.”
His return is a boon for what’s been a feast-or-famine offense recently. Albies is hitting .385 (40-for-104) with 10 doubles, 20 homers and 10 steals across his past 24 games.
He slotted in his regular No. 2 spot in the lineup, now hitting behind friend and newly minted leadoff man Ronald Acuna.
Saturday’s game against Washington was postponed because of rain, affording the Braves another off day. They played two in Miami before an additional day off Wednesday.
Snitker also gave Dansby Swanson a day off, plugging in the hot-hitting Charlie Culberson at shortstop and the sixth spot in the order.
“Dansby’s been playing every day,” Snitker said. “I just thought it was a good time to give him a day. And Charlie’s been swinging the bat well. It just keeps me out there, too. It worked out well using that off day to get an extra for Dansby.”
Culberson has been the Braves' best offensive player since the break. He went 10-for-19 (.526) on the latest road trip. He's slashed .318/.359/.522 in his past 52 games with an at-bat, and his production, paired with him playing six defensive positions, prompted Freddie Freeman to call him the team's MVP.
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