Bethancourt out with flu-like symptoms

JUPITER, Fla. – Braves catcher Christian Bethancourt missed his second consecutive game with flu-like symptoms and will likely not return to the lineup before Sunday.

Bethancourt was scheduled to make the overnight trip to Jupiter, Fla., for games Friday and Saturday, but the rookie remained sick when he woke and had a fever when examined by Braves head trainer Jeff Porter in the morning. For the second day he was told to go home and rest, rather than risk exposing teammates to illness.

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said it was possible but unlikely that Bethancourt would play a split-squad game Saturday against the Nationals in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. A Sunday return to the lineup seemed more realistic.