Braves’ Darren O’Day will pitch in Gulf Coast League this weekend

Darren O'Day was born Oct. 22, 1982 in Jacksonville, Fla. O'Day's nickname is "Odachowski." O'Day contemplated attending medical school, but he chose to pursue a career in baseball. O'Day is known for a sidearm delivery, which saved his career while in college. O'Day made his major league debut March 31, 2008, playing for the Los Angeles Angels. O'Day played for four teams in his first five seasons: the Angels, Mets, Rangers and Orioles. The Braves acquired O'Day, with Kevin Gausman, on July 31, 2018 for

Veteran reliever Darren O’Day, who hasn’t pitched in a regular-season game in about 14 months, is scheduled to return to the mound in a game with the Braves’ Gulf Coast League team in Florida on Saturday.

If all goes well with the rehab assignment, O’Day could join the Braves when rosters expand in September, manager Brian Snitker said Wednesday.

Other than one spring-training appearance this year, O’Day last pitched in a game June 26, 2018, with the Orioles. He was sidelined the rest of last season after undergoing hamstring surgery and hasn’t pitched this season because of a forearm injury.

The Braves acquired O’Day on July 31, 2018, along with starting pitcher Kevin Gausman, with hopes that he would help their bullpen this year.