Bear Sighting: Evan Gattis Set to Return
Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
After a brief minor league stint to allow for a few ABs of exercise, Braves’ Catcher/Left Fielder/First Baseman/Baseball Destroyer Evan Gattis is expected to return to the majors today. First possible victim: RHP Carlos Torres, scheduled to start tonight for the Mets.
El Oso Blanco was optioned to AAA Gwinnett as his playing time had been fairly sparse lately: 1 plate appearance on August 30th (an intentional walk), 1 on August 23rd (strikeout). In addition, the rust was certainly showing: his last major league hit came on a 3-for-5, 2 double day on August 11th (but that was vs. Miami, so I’m not sure it counts).
Oh – I mentioned “major league hits”. So how did it go at Gwinnett?
Yeah, that went okay…
- Saturday – 2 doubles in 4 trips.
- Sunday – 2 for 5 with a single and a homer. 1 strikeout.
- Monday – Single, double in 4 ABs
- Summary: 6 for 13, 3 doubles, 1 homer, 1 strikeout.
The Braves took advantage of a minor league loophole – players optioned to the minors normally are supposed to stay put for at least 10 days. That can be shortened due to injury or – in this case – if there are no more games to play. Gwinnett finished up its schedule yesterday, thus setting the stage for Gattis’ recall , which is likely to become official soon. If the ‘hot hand’ philosophy holds, I expect he’ll be in the lineup tonight – particularly as Jordan Schafer suffered a lower back strain in yesterday’s 13-5 win over the Mets.