PHOENIX – Hot-hitting Cameron Maybin was scratched from the Braves' lineup Monday night against the Diamondbacks due to what the center fielder said was likely a mild left-groin strain.
Maybin and manager Fredi Gonzalez said the injury wasn’t serious, but all parties were in agreement that rest was warranted as a precautionary measure. Maybin said he tweaked it during Sunday’s 7-5 win at San Francisco, likely on the diving catch he made in the left-center gap, which erased a potential run-scoring hit in the eighth inning.
“I think it’s little groin tweak,” said Maybin, who played the entire game Sunday. “I don’t think it’s too bad, though. I’d rather play, but I’d rather take a day than take any chances on anything worse happening to it, (considering) how good I’ve been feeling.”
He’s been one of the Braves’ most productive hitters since late April, batting .302 with five doubles, two homers, 17 RBIs and a .391 on-base percentage in his past 29 games.
“You know what, one day is better than 15,” said Gonzalez, who wasn’t sure whether it was a groin or quadriceps strain. “We could probably let him hit (Monday), but we won’t pinch-run him or any of that kind of stuff.”
Maybin started 17 consecutive games and 26 of the past 27 in center field before Monday, when rookie Todd Cunningham got the start.
“Just one of those things, I don’t want it to get any worse right now,” Maybin said. “I’m just going to be aggressive with the icing today, just kind of really limit what I do today.”
