The Braves put catcher A.J. Pierzynski on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday with a strained left hamstring and replaced him with catcher Tyler Flowers, who was activated from the DL a day ahead of schedule and about two months after fracturing his left hand.
In other roster move, the Braves designated for assignment veteran utility player Mike Aviles, one day after getting him from the Tigers as part of the trade that sent Erick Aybar to Detroit. The key player for the Braves in that trade was Kade Scivicque, the minor league catching prospect they got from the Tigers.
Flowers played in a total of four minor-league rehab games with three different affiliates, going 3-for-13 at the plate.
“He healed really quick,” Braves interim manager Brian Snitker said. “And then he texted me after his game the other day, said, ‘I didn’t even think about my hand, and my timing was a lot better than I thought it was going to be. And I felt great catching. My hand wasn’t an issue at all.’”
Pierzynski, 39, who’s expected to retire after the season, will rejoin the Braves in September when rosters can be expanded, Snitker said. The veteran has hit .218 with two homers, 23 RBIs and a .542 OPS in 74 games this season, after hitting .300 with nine homers, 49 RBIs and a .769 OPS in 113 games in 2015.
Flowers will split the catching duties with Anthony Recker, a journeyman who’s been a pleasant surprise, batting .326 (15-for-46) with five doubles, one homer, eight RBIs and a .918 OPS in 16 games.
