Atlanta Braves third baseman, Johan Camargo, getting set to return to the field
By Jeff Schafer
Braves Camargo is on his way back to ATL!
On one hand, the Atlanta Braves have started the 2018 season off with a few very exciting games and are 2-2. On the other hand, we’ve been banged up with injuries.
Both of our catchers — Tyler Flowers and Kurt Suzuki —are hurt right now, starting pitcher Luiz Gohara has been sidelined all spring, a few relief pitchers have been sidelined with strange injuries — Chase Whitley’s heel infection and Josh Ravin’s viral infection, and starting third baseman Johan Camargo has been out since March 13th.
It looks as though the first to return may be Camargo!
Word out of Braves camp this afternoon was that Camargo will play Thursday in Advanced Single-A with the Florida Fire Frogs. The hope is that he can play all nine innings and get in four at-bats. If all goes well on Thursday night, he’d play two more games there on Friday and Saturday.
From there, Braves manager Brian Snitker told the media he could join the Braves in Denver to close out the Colorado Rockies series. Instead of flying to Denver for one game, it’s possible the Braves send him to Washington for the Nationals series that starts on Monday.
Camargo is lined up to play for Class A Advanced Florida on Thursday. He may play at least two rehab games before being activated from the DL.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) April 3, 2018
The first date that Camargo is eligible to come off the 10-day DL would be April 6th (Friday). Looks as though it may be April 8th or 9th.
On March 13th during a Spring Training game versus the Toronto Blue Jays, Camargo left the game with “back stiffness”.
Next: Braves LHP Gohara takes step forward to returning
In Camargo’s absence…
The Braves have sent out Ryan Flaherty to third base for all of the first five games of the season. He’s played really well defensively at the position and has bat extremely well.
Flaherty has gone 8-16 at the plate with three doubles, one RBI, one walk, five runs scored and three strikeouts.
You can’t ask for too much more out of Nick Markakis’ brother-in-law. The 31-year-old currently has a 1.000 fielding percentage in 37 innings with the Atlanta Braves.
The Braves signed him on March 26, 2018 after he was released by the Phillies four days prior. He’ll most likely go back to more of a utility player once Camargo returns. But heck, if he continues to hit like he currently is, it may be tough to give Camargo back the third base duties that quickly.