Dansby Swanson on track for weekend return

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              Atlanta Braves' Nick Markakis hits a two-run line drive single to right field during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Sunday, July 21, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)
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              Atlanta Braves Dansby Swanson slides safely into home plate on a hit against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 23, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Tami Chappell)
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Credit: Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Credit: Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

<p> Atlanta Braves' Nick Markakis hits a two-run line drive single to right field during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Sunday, July 21, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis) </p> <p> Atlanta Braves Dansby Swanson slides safely into home plate on a hit against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 23, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Tami Chappell) </p>

The Braves remain encouraged by shortstop Dansby Swanson’s recovery from a right heel injury and expect him to return from the 10-day injured list this weekend.

Swanson is eligible to return Saturday, when the Braves anticipate he’ll be past the soreness from hitting his heel on a base last week. Swanson was held out of two games before being retroactively placed on the 10-day IL.

“Dansby’s good,” manager Brian Snitker said. “I think Dansby should be good to go when he’s ready to come off. I don’t know if he’d have kept playing that it could’ve gotten better like it has. It’s why we wanted to get him off of (his heel) so when he’s eligible to come off we can make a run for the rest of the year.”

The likely outcome is welcomed news for the Braves, who days ago lost right fielder Nick Markakis for six-to-eight weeks and could ill-afford losing their steady shortstop for a chunk of time. Swanson, renowned for his defense, is having the best offensive season of his career.

The 25-year-old is hitting .265/.330/.468 with 17 homers and 57 RBIs across 100 games. Swanson has recovered nicely from a persistent wrist issue that spoiled his 2018 season. He’d battled through discomfort in his left wrist for much of the season before partially tearing a ligament in the wrist shortly before the conclusion of the regular season, thus keeping him off the postseason roster.