Gonzalez hoping Simmons will return Tuesday

Andrelton Simmons came bounding through the Braves clubhouse Saturday afternoon. His sprained left ankle was wrapped only in an ace bandage.

Consider it a good sign for the Braves’ starting shortstop.

Simmons missed his third straight game Saturday with the injury suffered Tuesday at the Mariners. Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said he is hopeful Simmons will be able to play Tuesday against the Dodgers.

“He is getting better,” Gonzalez said. “He is progressing. Maybe by Tuesday we’ll get him in a game. Fingers crossed. But he is progressing and that is what we want to hear.”

Simmons has received extensive treatment on his ankle in the past week. He wore an air cast on Friday.

Emilio Bonifacio started at shortstop Saturday. Ramiro Pena started on Friday and had a seventh-inning error that helped the Nationals score two runs and pull to within one run in a game the Braves won 7-6 to snapped an eight-game losing streak.

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