If Braves rookie outfielder Mallex Smith were with the big-league club now he’d be no better than the fourth outfielder behind three veterans and he wouldn’t be hitting lead-off.
In that sense, it’s fortuitous that Smith’s rehabilitation assignment with Double-A Mississippi has been extended with the M-Braves in the playoffs. Braves interim manager Brian Snitker said the plan is for Smith to stay with the team through the conclusion of the best-of-five Southern League championship series, which would be Saturday at the latest.
Smith went on the disabled list in June after he suffered a fractured left thumb when hit by a pitch. He began his rehab assignment on Sept. 1 and had played in nine games for the M-Braves through the weekend.
“As long as they are playing and he can play games, that’s good,” Snitker said. “Just getting back and leading off and getting the at-bats and everything, which is better than sitting up here and pinch hitting or getting a start every now and then. You get the daily reps. I’m just glad they are having games to play that he can play in.”
Snitker said the Braves still could call up Smith and other key minor-league players when Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett finish their postseason runs. Gwinnett begins its best-of-five Governors’ Cup championship series on Tuesday.
Smith, 23, began the season as one of the Braves’ top prospects. When center fielder Ender Inciarte went on the disabled list, Smith got an early call-up from Triple-A Gwinnett and got regular time in center (31 starts) and left (16).
At the time of his injury Smith was hitting .237 with a .312 on-base percentage while playing solid defense. Entering Monday he was hitting .353 (6-for-17) with a .389 on-base percentage for Mississippi in four post season games after he was 7-for-16 (.438) with a .550 OBP in five regular-season games.
