The Braves could use some good news on the health front, and they might get it in the form of third baseman Chris Johnson returning as soon as Monday for the start of a 10-game West Coast trip.
Johnson has been out since April 30 with left-hand injuries that included a fracture and multiple bone bruises. An MRI at the beginning of May showed the fracture to be a pre-existing injury, and Johnson was expected to be out from three to six weeks.
It looks like the Braves might get him back near the short end of that estimate after Johnson was examined this week by Braves hand specialist Dr. Gary Lourie and cleared to increase his hitting and other activities, which he’s doing at the team’s training site in Florida.
“He came up (to Atlanta) and met with Dr. Lourie, who gave him the OK to ramp up the rehab stuff,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “So I think, without getting into detail, he’s started hitting off the tee, then it’s the normal batting practice, then get him a couple of at-bats in extended spring (training games).
“If everything goes really well, there’s no reason he can’t go on the road trip Monday with us. If there’s no setback, it doesn’t flare up, we can ramp him up, get him three or four games, and he can be with us on Monday and be ready to play.”
While playing in a platoon with Albert Callaspo and later Kelly Johnson, Chris Johnson hit .279 (12-for-43) with four doubles, five RBIs and a .347 on-base percentage in 16 games before his injury. That included 5-for-13 (.385) against left-handers and .417 (5-for-12) with runners in scoring position.
Kelly Johnson (strained oblique) and versatile Phil Gosselin (thumb fracture) each was hitting well and playing plenty at third base before going on the 15-day disabled list from injuries sustained during the trip that ended Sunday. The Braves plan to go with Callaspo and Pedro Ciriaco at third base until Chris Johnson returns.
About the Author
