Both Brandon Beachy and Evan Gattis will accompany the Braves on their upcoming trip to Philadelphia, both progressing toward minor league rehabilitation outings as they work their way back from injury.
Gattis took his first swings Thursday since going on the disabled list with a strained right oblique on June 18. He took about 20 swings off a tee and came away with a smile on his face.
“Felt good, slow but good,” Gattis said. “The first one kind of released a little bit and after that nothing, it was good. So we’ll see, I still don’t know timetable or anything, but definitely progress.”
Gattis said he’ll gradually add more baseball activities going forward, starting with some running and throwing on Friday. He’s eligible to come off the disabled list when he’s ready, but the Braves will gradually work him up to taking batting practice on the field and then send him out on a minor league rehabilitation assignment first.
Beachy needs to throw at least one more bullpen session before going out on his second minor league rehabilitation assignment in his comeback from Tommy John surgery, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. Beachy had a setback with elbow inflammation three weeks ago, but has said he felt good after each of his first three bullpen sessions since he started throwing again.
