NEW YORK – The Braves could have center fielder Ender Inciarte off the disabled list and back in their lineup as soon as Saturday, with infielder Gordon Beckham possibly returning a few days later.
Inciarte, who has been out since straining his left hamstring in the third game of the season, will begin a rehab assignment Wednesday at Triple-A Gwinnett. The plan is for him to play another rehab game in Triple-A Friday – Gwinnett is off Thursday – and possibly be activated Saturday against his former team, Arizona.
After finishing a three-city trip Wednesday in New York, the Braves are off Thursday and start a six-game homestand Friday against the Diamondbacks and Phillies.
“There’s a really good chance, fingers crossed, that we can get (Inciarte) back this weekend sometime,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “And then Beckham the following series (vs. Philadelphia).”
Beckham, also on the 15-day DL with a strained left hamstring, is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Saturday at Gwinnett. The veteran had moved into primary second-base duties before his April 16 injury.
“We feel pretty good, talking to Andrew (Hauser, Braves director of player health and performance), that we’re going to see both of those guys back in uniform this homestand,” Gonzalez said. “Ender a little sooner than Beckham.”
