LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Joey Terdoslavich’s sore left wrist kept the Braves bench candidate out of the lineup for a third consecutive game Tuesday against the Phillies.
The injury wasn’t considered to be serious and Terdoslavich said he could’ve played, but the team wanted to be cautious and wait until Thursday against the Pirates, after the Braves’ only scheduled day off during spring training Wednesday.
He’s made a solid bid for a backup job as a corner outfielder and first baseman, batting .278 (10-for-36) with a team-high seven extra-base hits before Wednesday.
“I definitely want to be there for Thursday,” said Terdoslavich, who is eager to play against the Pirates in Bradenton, Fla., near his hometown of Sarasota. “So, just living in the training room and trying to get out there as quick as I can. You don’t want to get back out there too soon and hurt it. But at the same time, you’re getting ready for a season, you want to be ready to play.
“You don’t want to lose any of your at-bats, innings in the field. But you want to be healthy.”
Terdoslavich injured the wrist when he dove toward third base to make a tag at the end of an unusual double play Saturday against the Cardinals, when he fielded a ground ball, tagged Yadier Molina hung up between third base and home plate, and then alertly tagged Dean Anna sliding into third base.
“Consequences for great plays, that’s why I don’t make a whole lot of them,” he joked. “Otherwise you end up with bruises and stuff all over your body.”
