The Braves activated outfielder Kelly Johnson from the disabled list on Wednesday and manager Fredi Gonzalez started him in left against the Padres.
Johnson missed 24 games with a strained right oblique. He played in two games on rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett and said he’s got his timing down.
“Everything is good, health-wise, which is what I was concerned about,” he said. “I’ve felt really good for the past week.”
In the 28 games before his injury Johnson was hitting .259 with a .310 on-base percentage and slugging .519. He was second on the team with six home runs entering Wednesday.
To make room for Johnson, the Braves sent outfielder Joey Terdoslavich to Gwinnett a day after his first career home run. Terdoslavich’s pinch-hit, solo shot in the eighth inning lifted the Braves to a 6-5 victory over the Padres.
Gonzalez said the Braves waited until Wednesday to tell Terdoslavich he was going to Gwinnett so as to not put a damper on his memorable night. Terdoslavich had rejoined the Braves on Friday after being out since spring training with a wrist injury.
“He took it really, really well,” Gonzalez said. “He knows. He’ s been around a little bit. He’s only had 30 at-bats after missing 2 ½ months. I told him to go down there in Triple-A, get 40 or 50 at-bats and make us make a decision.”
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