CHICAGO — Catcher Evan Gattis was expected to have a fourth consecutive workout day Sunday at Single-A Rome, where he's been taking batting practice, running and throwing in preparation for a rehab assignment that could begin as soon as Tuesday after an off day in Rome's schedule Monday.
Gattis has been on the 15-day disabled list since June 28 recovering from a bulging disk in his upper back, and will be eligible to come off at any time after the All-Star break. The Braves will likely have him play at least a few rehab games before activating him.
The Braves haven’t given a specific target date for Gattis’ return or said when his first rehab game will be, but Rome has a three-game series against Greenville beginning Tuesday.
Braves workout: Gonzalez will have an optional workout for the Braves on Thursday at Turner Field. He said he doesn't want the team's All-Stars – Freddie Freeman, Craig Kimbrel, Julio Teheran – to attend the workout because he hopes they'll take a day to relax after returning from the All-Star festivities in Minneapolis.
Lefty needed: The Braves have made it a priority to acquire a left-handed reliever before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, and Luis Avilan's eighth-inning performance Sunday was a reminder as to why. Avilan entered with a 10-4 lead to start the inning, faced three batters and gave up a single and two walks. He left with the bases loaded and none out.
Boston reliever Andrew Miller is at the top of the Braves’ list of targeted lefties, which also includes the likes of Cubs James Russell and Wesley Wright. But Miller is the guy they are particularly high on.
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