After considering sending outfielder Ender Inciarte to Florida this weekend, it appears more likely the Braves will play their Gold Glover during the final series in New York this weekend.
Inciarte has missed 34 games with a right hamstring strain. He’s been running well in recent days, and the Braves expected to activate him this weekend. They indicated the plan might have been to send him to instructional league so he could take more live at-bats, but now the Braves could instead play Inciarte in their final three games.
Outfielder Ronald Acuna was shut down Wednesday for the rest of the regular season, which might have some influence on the Braves’ decision.
“I expect him, if he’s here and good, that he might be playing with us instead of sending him out somewhere,” manager Brian Snitker said. “I think now with Ronald’s situation, if he can play, we might need him here.”
Inciarte, if healthy, would have three games to show the Braves he’s recovered enough to be worthy of a postseason roster spot. Inciarte has hit .246/.343/.397 with 18 extra-base hits, 24 RBIs and 30 runs scored. He also missed 55 games because of a lumbar strain.