Swanson, Garcia return; Inciarte on hold

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Dansby Swanson and Adonis García were in the Braves' starting lineup for Tuesday afternoon's 3-1 loss to the Nationals in West Palm Beach, but Ender Inciarte will wait another couple of days before rejoining Atlanta's lineup.
Swanson started at shortstop and went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts, while Garcia got the start at third and went 0-for-1 before being lifted for a pinch-hitter.
Inciarte was on the travel list for Tuesday's game, but the Braves opted to allow him to remain at ESPN's Wide World of Sports complex to work out with teammates who did not make the long trip to West Palm Beach.
Inciarte has not played a game for the Braves since he left camp on March 6 to compete in the World Baseball Classic. While helping Venezuela advance to the second round, Atlanta's Gold Glove center fielder batted .333 (7-for-24) and collected three doubles over seven games.
With Swanson seemingly healthy again and Garcia ready to test his previously sore left hamstring, the Braves will likely utilize something close to their projected Opening Day lineup for Thursday night's game against the Tigers at Disney. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. ET, and the game will air on MLB.TV and Gameday Audio.

Braves manager Brian Snitker has not had a chance to construct his normal lineup since March 4, the date of Inciarte and Freddie Freeman's final Grapefruit League games before they departed for the Classic as well. It was also the same game in which Swanson sustained a right side strain that kept him on the bench until this past weekend.
After playing in a Minor League game on Saturday, Swanson returned to Grapefruit League action on Sunday, when he struck out in his only two plate appearances against Cardinals right-hander Lance Lynn.
Tuesday's game against the Nationals will give Garcia a chance to play in a Grapefruit League game for the first time since March 11, when he tweaked his left hamstring. The Braves' third baseman has been running and completing all normal baseball activities without limitations over the past few days.

Odds and ends
• The Braves optioned Luke Jackson to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday. Jackson worked four scoreless appearances before allowing four earned runs without recording an out on Friday, when he pitched for the first time since being weakened by a stomach bug. 
• Ronald Acuna, Max Fried and the other members of the 2016 Class A Rome Braves were presented their South Atlantic League championship rings during an on-field ceremony held before the Braves hosted the Marlins in a Grapefruit League game at ESPN's Wide World of Sports complex on Monday.
• Left-handed pitcher John Danks was released following Atlanta's 9-3 loss to Miami on Monday after he did not accept the Braves' offer to begin this season with Gwinnett. Danks came to camp as a non-roster invitee but was never considered a legitimate candidate to begin the season with Atlanta. Catcher Anthony Recker was also optioned to Triple-A after Monday's game.