When the Braves pack up and head for Washington on Sunday evening, both Jason Heyward and Tim Hudson are going along.
Heyward is going to continue his workouts and taking batting practice with the team, as he continues to progress from his broken jaw. Hudson, who is out for the season with a broken right ankle, just got out of his walking boot this week and wanted to be a part of this final road trip, when the Braves have a chance to clinch.
Hudson and Brian McCann are the only Braves on the roster who were on the 2005 team that won the Braves’ last division title. Their previous two trips to the playoffs – in 2010 and 2012 – came via the wild card.
“I was going to go a couple trips before, but I wasn’t out of my boot yet,” Hudson said. “It was just kind of a pain in the butt with the boot. It actually works out good. I officially got out of the boot this week and it’s our last trip.”
Hudson still has a screw holding two bones in place while his ligament heals. He’s scheduled to have it removed in late October.
“The rehab will really start up after I get that screw out,” Hudson said. “That’s when most of it will start happening. I’m pretty limited with what I can do right now.”
Heyward’s limitations are lessoning by the day. He was cleared to start hitting last week and had been taking some swings indoors before hitting on the field for the first time in Braves batting practice Friday and Saturday. Heyward will continue hitting with the team in Washington.
The Braves start instructional league Monday at their complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. but don’t start playing games for a week, until Monday, Sept. 23. The Braves could decide to send Heyward to Florida when they head to Chicago following the three-game series against the Nationals. There Heyward could face some live pitching from minor league pitchers in simulated games.
Heyward said they haven’t yet discussed when he might start playing in games.
This is time he can spend getting used to playing with the helmet that has a protective guard extending over the lower right side of his face, but Heyward said it hasn’t been an issue.
“I’m just focused on getting ready to play,” Heyward said. “I’m not thinking about the helmet, mouthpiece, anything.”
