With Braves catcher Gerald Laird set to take on his usual duties of handling starter Julio Teheran on Thursday and Pirates left-hander Jeff Locke on the mound, manager Fredi Gonzalez said he plans to play Evan Gattis at first base again.
Gattis, a 26-year old rookie, hasn't played much first base since college but started there Friday at Washington and committed an error. But he's off to a hot start at the plate and Gonzalez is looking for ways to play Gattis on the days he doesn't catch; first base provides an opening because Freddie Freeman is on the disabled list.
“It's hard to take that bat out of the lineup,” Gonzalez said. “I thought he was fine at first base. The only screw-up was that fly ball and I've seen Gold Glovers miss that play. I'm comfortable to run him out there.”
Entering Tuesday night's game against the Royals, Gattis, who bats right-handed, was hitting .324 with four home runs and 10 RBIs in 34 at-bats. His 1.120 OPS was third behind Freeman (1.121) and Justin Upton (1.306) among Braves regulars.
It will be more of a challenge for Gonzalez to find playing time for Gattis after Freeman and catcher Brian McCann return. Freeman is eligible to be activated from the disabled list on Monday and McCann is expected to join extended spring training Wednesday in preparation for a minor league rehabilitation assignment.
Gonzalez said he's not concerned about how he will get Gattis at-bats then if the rookie keeps up his pace.
“It's easy because when 'Mac' comes back he's not going to be the 'Mac' of two years ago where you run him out there for 10 days in a row,” he said. “He's not going to be able to do that, or we don't want him to do that. It will work its way out. Something else will happen. That's why I've learned not to worry about it.”
