Outfielder Jose Constanza joined the Braves roster Saturday, one of a handful of players the Braves are expected to call on as rosters expand in September.
Constanza just arrived a day early to replace Evan Gattis, who was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett after Friday’s game to get some at-bats over the final three games of Gwinnett’s season. Gattis, who had been 0-for-17 in limited action of late, doubled in his first two at-bats against Charlotte on Saturday night.
Manager Fredi Gonzalez said he expected no more than about five players to join the expanded roster in September, and that would include both Gattis and Reed Johnson who is still nursing Achilles tendinitis.
Outfielder Todd Cunningham is likely to return, though he wouldn’t be eligible to rejoin the roster until Tuesday after Gwinnett’s season is over. The Braves could use an extra arm or two for their pitching staff and candidates include right-handers Freddy Garcia, whom they acquired from Baltimore on Aug. 23, and David Hale – both of whom are already on the 40-man roster. Cory Gearrin is not an option because he’s been battling arm soreness.
J. Upton sits
Gonzalez decided to give Justin Upton one more day to rest his bruised left hand but said he expects him to be back in the lineup Sunday against the Marlins. Upton was hit by an Ubaldo Jimenez fastball on Thursday night. “It’s significantly better than yesterday,” Upton said Saturday.
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