Braves center-field candidate Todd Cunningham was scratched from Monday’s trip after fouling a ball off his foot in Sunday’s game, Mike Minor went to see a specialist, and several Braves lineup regulars continued in various stages of injury rehab.
Manager Fredi Gonzalez said Cunningham’s injury wasn’t serious and he could be ready to play Tuesday against the Mets. Minor had his sore pitching shoulder examined by Dr. James Andrews at his clinic near Pensacola on Monday afternoon, but the Braves weren’t expected to announce anything before Tuesday.
Third baseman Chris Johnson should also be back in the lineup Tuesday after being sidelined three days by a sore left wrist. It stiffened while he was taking extra batting practice Sunday morning. Johnson has done extensive work in the batting cages this spring after making an adjustment in his stance at the suggestion of hitting coach Kevin Seitzer.
Gonzalez also gave a brief update on the conditions of shortstop Andrelton Simmons, who has yet to play this spring after suffering a mild oblique strain a few days before reporting to camp, and right fielder Nick Markakis, who’s recovering from Dec. 17 neck surgery and was cleared a few days ago to begin swinging a bat and throwing.
“Simmons and Markakis are doing their stuff and progressing well,” Gonzalez said. “I don’t have a timetable for when they’re going to be on the field (in games). But Simmons is getting some (batting practice), some ground balls, that kind of stuff. I think Nick is a little behind that.”
Simmons could make his spring debut later this week. Markakis and the Braves haven’t given an estimate for his spring debut, but remain optimistic he’ll be back in time to get enough at-bats and be ready for opening day April 6.
Meanwhile, Melvin Upton Jr., whose foot injury necessitated the open competiton for the early season center-field job, is expected to be in a protective walking boot at least through March after initially wearing a cast. He was diagnosed in the first week of camp with sesamoiditis, or inflammation in a bone behind the ball of his left foot.
