Braves Injury Update – Johnson Back Walden Coming

Braves outfielder Reed Johnson returns from the disabled list . Photo Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

There was news of the Braves walking wounded this afternoon. First they activated Reed Johnson from the Disabled list according to the Braves twitter account.

Johnson has been nursing a sore achilles and was concerned about getting back in time to be in game shape for the post season. He joins Justin Upton. B.J. Upton. Evan Gattis, Joey Terdoslavich and Jordan Schafer in the Braves outfield rotation with Jason Heyward tentatively set to return before the post season begins. Interesting decision lie ahead.

More good news came from Carroll Rogers over at the AJC who reported that Jordan Walden threw a successful 27 pitch bullpen session Tuesday without any negative reactions this morning. He told Rogers:ituations forced his han

"“This is the first one that I’ve thrown since I got hurt that I wasn’t even thinking about it,” said Walden, who’d had to cut a bullpen short after five pitches a week earlier. “…Ball was coming out good, shoulder feels good, just ready to get back in the game.”"

According to Rogers Walden could be on Fredi Gonzalez list to get into Thursday’s game.  Walden was enthusiastic about his return.

"“This is the best my arm has felt this late in the season my whole big league career,” Walden said."

Walden had two stints on the DL, a shoulder inflammation in May preceded this groin issue.  The bullpen will be glad to see Walden back as David Carpenter. Luis Ayala and Luis Avilan have all done extra duty filling in form him. Gonzalez said he’s worked Avilan harder than he wanted  but situations forced his hand.

"“Probably Avi has gotten a little more work than we’ve wanted him to get, but I think he’s still got a good number of appearances,” said Gonzalez. I think we still feel comfortable with those (68) appearances.”"

Avilan has certainly earned his $ in spite of some sabernetric types saying he’s not a very good pitcher.  He’s allowed only 6 of 27 inherited runners to score while postings a 1.48 ERA, 0.956 WHIP and 2.2 WAR. I’m not sure how that’s bad but I’m sure someone will tell me.