Braves hope to keep short bullpen through Toronto series

The Braves plan to continue with the six-man bullpen at least through the Toronto series Monday and Tuesday so they can take advantage of the having three catchers when they use the designated hitter.

“You can use (Evan) Gattis as DH one night or catch and use (Brian) McCann and then keep (Gerald) Laird,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “That’d be nice. But it could change. We got to get through New York series first.”

The Braves want reliever Jordan Walden to throw a couple of bullpen sessions before he goes out on a minor league rehabilitation assignment so he won’t be activated when he’s eligible on Monday. Walden threw on flat ground for the third consecutive day Wednesday without any problems with his shoulder, but he won’t throw off a mound until Friday or Saturday in New York.