The Braves expect to reactivate outfielder Matt Kemp before Saturday’s home game against the Reds, manager Brian Snitker said.
“He worked out today,” Snitker said. “Everything went well. So we’ll see how he looks tomorrow when he gets here. It’s been good. … Just wait to see how he feels tomorrow. We could potentially get him back going tomorrow.
“Like I said, unless something happens, he wakes up, there’s something we’re not expecting, you never know. But all things are pointing to go right now.”
Kemp has been on the disabled list since July 29 with a strained right hamstring, his second DL stint because of a hamstring issue in 2017.
The team initially was going to send him on a two-game rehab stint, but Kemp looked healthy enough during drills in St. Louis to prompt a more sudden return.
He was expected to rejoin the lineup Friday, but team trainers wanted to see another day of Kemp’s workouts. He went with the team on its recent seven-game trip to work closely with the physical therapists.
Snitker confirmed Wednesday that Kemp was on track for a weekend return, and would retake his duties in left field when activated.
“It’s a pretty big presence in the lineup,” he said. “It’ll mean a lot to our lineup to get him back in there.”
Matt Adams, Danny Santana and the now-traded Sean Rodriguez filled in for Kemp in left, all making at least four starts in his absence.
Kemp opened the season on a tear before hitting the DL on May 24. He had hit .340 with eight homers, 27 RBIs and a .379 OBP.
Fighting through recurring hamstring problems, Kemp dropped off, hitting .255 with six homers, 21 RBIs and a .306 OBP since (54 games).
One area where the Braves hope Kemp cools off during the final stretch is his untimely knack for producing two outs. Kemp leads baseball in double plays grounded into (22).
