WASHINGTON – Braves catcher Evan Gattis remained at the team hotel Wednesday for a second day recuperating from strep throat, but manager Fredi Gonzalez remained hopeful that he would be ready to play in the weekend series against the Rangers in Texas.
The Braves play the Nationals in a series finale at 4 p.m. Wednesday, then fly to Dallas and have an off day prior to their interleague series against the Rangers.
“He’s feeling better, but he’s still at the hotel,” Gonzalez said before Tuesday’s game against the Nationals. “Hopefully we’ll get to see him tomorrow sometime, because we’ve got to fly out tomorrow. I don’t know when, if it’ll be game time or what, but I’m sure we’ll see him.”
Gattis, who is from the Dallas area, would likely serve as designated hitter in at least two of three games against the Rangers. Having the DH for games in American League parks could help make it possible for him to play all or most of the series coming off of the illness, since he wouldn’t have to deal with the rigors of catching.
He was diagnosed with strep throat on Monday, after beginning to feel ill Sunday night on the Braves’ flight from Miami to Washington.
