The Braves are encouraged by Tyler Flowers’ progress while he recovers from a left-oblique strain. Flowers was placed on the disabled list March 30 after leaving the game the day before with an oblique strain.

Manager Brian Snitker said his catcher was ahead of schedule Monday. But he said he’s even further along than they thought Wednesday. Snitker said two days ago that Flowers could rejoin the team during their next road trip, which opens April 23 in Cincinnati.

“We thought he was a little further along, but (catching coach) Sal (Fasano) has been putting him through the defensive paces and all that, the hitting, he might be a little further than even what we thought,” Snitker said.

Snitker added Flowers could play in a rehab game this weekend if things continue going well. His workouts are getting more extensive as he nears a return.

“We might be able to get him out on a rehab sooner than we thought,” Snitker said. “We’ll do all this today and then see where he’s at tomorrow, then probably have a little better gauge if he’s sore or anything like that. Everything’s pointing to him being really good.”