Braves utility man Sean Rodriguez is in line for regular playing time, with left fielder Matt Kemp placed on the 10-day disabled list Saturday. Rodriguez said he still doesn’t have full strength in his left (non-throwing) shoulder after February surgery, but that he’s ready for increased playing time.
“My body feels good,” Rodriguez said Saturday. “I said early on, technically — and I say technically lightly — I won’t feel 100 percent until probably next year. That was something we knew coming into it. It feels as good as needs to.
“I said to (the team) I feel I can still contribute where I’m at, and that’s why I wanted to come back and try to give us a little more push and see if we can make something of this season.”
The Braves activated Rodriguez, 32, from the disabled list July 17. He was injured along with his wife and two of their children during a Jan. 28 vehicle crash near their Miami home.
Rodriguez was in the lineup at left field for Saturday’s game. He and Danny Santana, a switch-hitter, figure to get the bulk of the time there in Kemp’s absence.
“It’s a good opportunity for Sean to get back in there,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “I kind of feel like he’s getting his timing back. He’s been having some really good at-bats so it’s good to give him an opportunity.”
Said Rodriguez: “We will see how they want to match things up. If Matt going down means getting to play (regularly) then, definitely, let’s do it.”
Entering Saturday, Rodriguez was hitting .190 (4-for-29) with a .414 on-base percentage (seven walks) in 10 games. He said his timing at the plate has improved with more at-bats.
“That’s the grind every day is trying to find that swing and that feeling and repeat it,” he said.
