Jason Heyward got another good report on a visit to the oral surgeon Friday as he continues to recover from a broken jaw, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said.
Heyward did not travel with the Braves to Philadelphia but if he has another good doctor visit Monday, Gonzalez said he could join the Braves Monday evening or Tuesday afternoon in Miami to continue his workouts.
Heyward was cleared Tuesday to do some light hitting off the tee and playing catch. He has been taking swings in a new batting helmet with a protective attachment to guard his jaw.
The Braves haven’t established a timetable for his return but hope Heyward can get at-bats during instructional league which begins Sept. 16 (games start Sept. 23), with the idea that he come back for some major league at-bats before the regular season ends.
“We never put a date on it,” Gonzalez said. “I got my fingers crossed that we can get him back, but it’s whenever he’s ready.”…
Brandon Beachy played some light catch on Friday, his first action since Aug. 20 when he felt elbow discomfort and the Braves shut him to rest another bout of elbow inflammation. He made about 30 throws from 30-40 feet. The Braves will see how he progresses before mapping out a specific throwing program.
Reliever Jordan Walden played some catch on flat ground as well on Friday. Gonzalez said he felt good and might throw a bullpen before this seven-day trip is over but he’s not yet close to returning from a groin strain.
Jordan Schafer was out of the lineup Friday night but it wasn’t because of his quadriceps contusion. Schafer, who was scratched on Wednesday, said after back-to-back days off he was feeling fine. Gonzalez had planned to start B.J. Upton in the leadoff spot against left-hander Cliff Lee all along.