d'Arnaud returns at 'the best time of year'

ATLANTA -- After missing a little more than three months, Braves catcher Travis d'Arnaud returned in time to savor the thrill of being part of a late-season playoff push.

“This is the best time of the year for baseball, especially when there's a playoff run in the mix,” d’Arnaud said. “We're all within what two games of each other [in the National League East]?”

d’Arnaud was activated from the 60-day injured list on Wednesday and immediately returned to his duties as Atlanta’s primary catcher in the middle game of the series against the Reds at Truist Park. The veteran had been sidelined since tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb on May 1.

Kevan Smith was designated for assignment to create a spot for d’Arnaud on both the active and 40-man rosters.

Despite being without d’Arnaud, Marcell Ozuna and Ronald Acuña Jr. for long stretches this season, the Braves still entered Wednesday just one game behind the first-place Phillies. The Mets were two games back in this three-team race.

“It's hard to replace a piece that's as valuable as Travis has been to us,” manager Brian Snitker said. “So, it'll be great to get him back. You look at how long the lineup is now and what he has brought the last couple of years.”

d’Arnaud won an NL Silver Slugger Award after hitting .321 with nine homers and a .919 OPS during last year’s pandemic-shortened season. His bid to extend that success was delayed on May 1, when his left thumb was bent awkwardly as he made a tag at the plate against the Blue Jays in Dunedin, Fla.

The discomfort was very familiar for d’Arnaud, who also tore the UCL in his left thumb while playing for Team USA in 2012.

“It’s just knowing it was going to take some time and you’ve just got to trust the process,” d’Arnaud said. “Fortunately there are new procedures where they put an internal brace in there to help speed up the recovery.”

d’Arnaud went 4-for-17 and recorded a walk-off single while playing six Minor League rehab games for Triple-A Gwinnett. He will share the catching duties with Stephen Vogt and attempt to add more firepower to a lineup that has improved significantly via multiple trades made since the All-Star break.

When Joc Pederson is in the lineup, the Braves have seven players who have either hit 20 homers already or could reach that mark some point this season. d’Arnaud would be the only position player who wouldn’t fit that description. But he was on pace to hit 24 homers last year.

“We’ve got dangerous lineup,” d’Arnaud said. “It’s probably a uncomfortable night's rest for any pitcher the night before. To join the dangerous lineup is exciting. I’m hoping I can contribute like I did previously.”