SAN FRANCISCO — After throwing his last scheduled batting-practice session Thursday, Brandon Beachy will throw a side session Sunday and begin a minor-league rehab assignment next week, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said.
The right-hander is in the 11th month of rehab from Tommy John elbow surgery and is on schedule for a return to the majors in mid-June, within one week of the one-year anniversary of surgery.
Beachy ranked among major league leaders with his 2.00 ERA in 13 starts before he got hurt last summer. Gonzalez said he would make about six minor league rehab starts, going on the same type of schedule that Braves starters follow in spring training, working up from two innings in the first start.
The Braves haven’t said what the plan is when Beachy is ready to return to the major league rotation. Rookie Julio Teheran is the current fifth starter and had a 5.08 ERA and .333 opponents’ average before his start in Friday night’s series opener at San Francisco.
The Braves’ other four starters have ERAs between 2.96 (Mike Minor) and 3.83 (Tim Hudson), and opponents’ averages of .250 or below.
Gattis out of lineup: Catcher-left fielder Evan Gattis wasn't in the Braves lineup Thursday and probably won't be Friday. Gonzalez said he wanted the rookie to get accustomed to the windy, spacious outfield for a couple of days before a likely left-field start Saturday.
Brian McCann was expected to catch Thursday, Friday and Sunday, and Gerald Laird is set to catch Saturday.
