Atlanta Braves Andrelton Simmons Set To Return

Prior to Monday night’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves’ shortstop Andrelton Simmons took the field to test out his ankle.  Simmons took ground balls during batting practice, took a few cuts and fly balls in the outfield.

Simmons is attempting to return for a sprained ankle he suffered one week ago, August 5th, in Seattle.

“It was good to run around a little bit and catch ground some balls, I haven’t been able to do that,” Simmons said.  “I hit some BP too, it feels great to be out there.”

From all indications, Andrelton should be back on the field tonight to face Dan Haren.  If Simmons’ wakes up feeling great, he’ll play Tuesday and then rest on Wednesday.

There is a chance he does wake up feeling a little sore since yesterday’s on field actions sounded as though they were the first he’s done in almost a week.

With Tommy La Stella leaving last night’s game with a cramp in his upper right hamstring, both our starting mid-infielders could be out.  If Tommy’s injury is minor and Simmons is on track to return today or tomorrow, it would be terrific to get both guys back in our lineup.

“It felt fine, they didn’t want to push me to hard but I felt fine” Andrelton said about his ankle.  “They are trying to be careful but I felt more ready and good.  I’m just waiting for them to tell me what to do.  I’m ready to go.”