After missing a month for a staph infection, Braves left fielder Martin Prado is set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.
He had hoped to play in next weekend’s big series at Philadelphia, but Prado likely will wait to be activated for the Braves’ first game after the All-Star break, July 15 against Washington at Turner Field.
“I don’t think after missing a month, that playing two [rehab] games is going to do it,” said Prado, who will probably play five or six minor-league games.
He last played June 7 and had surgery June 10 to remove staph infection from his right calf. He was cleared to begin working out last week after the incision was almost entirely closed (incisions after staph surgery are left open to heal from the bottom out).
“I think realistically, maybe after the All-Star break,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said of having Prado back in the lineup. “It’s a leg injury, and it’s been a month. So we’ve got to make sure he’s good to go and that his legs are ready and in shape for him to play the rest of the way.”
Gwinnett plays at Charlotte on Wednesday and Thursday, and the teams play a three-game series at Gwinnett starting Friday. Triple-A teams begin their All-Star break Monday, but Prado could play one or two more games for Double-A Mississippi or another affiliate.
Kimbrel wins award
Braves closer Craig Kimbrel was voted the National League Rookie of the Month in June after going 1-0 with eight saves, 25 strikeouts and a 1.93 ERA in 14 appearances.
He led major league relievers with 67 strikeouts in 43 innings before Tuesday and was tied for the majors’ lead with 25 saves — nine more than the previous NL rookie record for saves before the All-Star break.
The right-hander gave up three runs in two innings during consecutive two-hit appearances June 8 and June 11. In 11 appearances since (before Tuesday), Kimbrel had allowed no runs and two hits (.056 opponents’ average) with three walks and 19 strikeouts.
Top draft pick visits
The Braves brought first-round draft pick Sean Gilmartin to Atlanta for a visit they hope will help make his signing decision a little easier.
It didn’t sound as if the left-handed pitcher from Florida State needed any persuasion. Gilmartin, the 28th overall selection in the June draft, said he hoped to sign soon and begin his professional career this summer.
“It’s definitely what I want to do. I want to play major league baseball,” he said. “As far as the decision being tough, I don’t think it will be a tough one. I’m very excited.”
Gilmartin went 12-1 with a 1.83 ERA this season as a junior, with 122 strikeouts and 20 walks in 113 1/3 innings.
Chipper in for All-Star game
Those speculating that Chipper Jones might opt out of the All-Star game to rest his sore knee or have it repaired via arthroscopic surgery, forget it.
The Braves’ 39-year-old third baseman is on his seventh and possibly last All-Star team and will take his family to Phoenix to enjoy the festivities, including Tuesday’s game. He has no plans to pull out of the game.
“My whole family is going — my kids, my parents, my wife,” he said. “So I don’t want to just go out there and not do anything.”
Jones was back in the lineup Tuesday against Colorado, after having a cortisone shot Sunday and missing Monday’s series opener. It was the second cortisone shot he has had for soreness from a cartilage tear in his right knee.
As of Tuesday, Jones had not received notification of any fine from Major League Baseball for his comments critical of the home-plate umpire Sunday.
