PHOENIX — The Braves could have Jason Heyward back from the disabled list for the homestand that begins Friday, but not before. He had an emergency appendectomy April 22 and began a rehab stint with Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.
Manager Fredi Gonzalez mentioned last week the possibility of Heyward coming off the DL during the series at Arizona that started Monday. But Heyward had only served as designated hitter in his first three rehab games before Monday, and the Braves wanted him to play a few games in right field before he’s activated.
He played right field Monday and went 1-for-2 with RBI double and a walk for Gwinnett against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He came out for a pinch-runner in the sixth inning due to the cold, damp conditions in Pennsylvania.
Beachy rehab: Eleven months into recovery from Tommy John elbow surgery, Braves pitcher Brandon Beachy is set to make his first start Tuesday and work two innings in an extended-spring training game in Florida. That will be followed Sunday with his first official rehab start for Triple-A Gwinnett, Gonzalez said.
The plan is for Beachy to make about six or seven starts, including Tuesday’s game. He’ll increase his workload with each start, following the same pattern as Braves starters in spring training. Barring any setbacks, he could be activated in mid- to late June.
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