The Braves’ infield is getting healthier and more productive by the day.
Third baseman Adonis Garcia returned to the lineup Thursday after missing five starts with a sore ankle, and versatile veteran Gordon Beckham (hamstring strain) is about to begin a minor-league rehab assignment and could rejoin the Braves as soon as next week.
Garcia was limited to two pinch-hit appearances on the just-completed road trip and was 13-for-32 (.406) with a .441 OBP in his past nine games before Thursday, including a double, two homers, four RBIs and a .633 slugging percentage with three strikeouts in 30 at-bats over his past seven starts.
“Yeah, it’s kind of a void in the lineup when he’s not in there,” said Braves interim manager Brian Snitker, who got the OK to start Garcia after Braves trainers put him through a workout Thursday afternoon. “He had been playing so well at third, too, so it’s good to get him back.”
Beckham was batting .284 with a .382 OBP in 31 games before going on the DL June 2 with a strained hamstring for the second time this season. He hit .286 with a .390 OBP in 21 games between the two DL stints, and had a triple, two homers and seven RBIs in his last eight games before the latest injury.
“They said he’s feeling great, starting to do live (batting practice) and running the bases,” Snitker said. “It’s just more, they want to make sure this time with him, to make sure everything’s good.”
Meanwhile, Jace Peterson continues to hit well since returning from a demotion to Triple-A. He was in the lineup Thursday for his 11th start at second base in 13 games since returning, and third straight game in the leadoff spot.
Peterson’s first-inning leadoff single made it 11 consecutive starts in which he’s hit safely since rejoining the major league team. Before Thursday, he was batting .342 (13-for-38) in 11 games since returning from Triple-A, with two doubles, a homer, six RBIs, six walks and a .435 OBP. The Braves were 7-4 in that span.
