Camargo slated for Thursday rehab assignment
Third baseman (right oblique) could be activated from DL over weekend
ATLANTA -- The Braves have the option to activate Johan Camargo from the disabled list for Friday's series opener against the Rockies at Coors Field, but the team may opt to have Camargo play a couple of Minor League rehab games before doing so.
Camargo is slated to play for Class A Advanced Florida on Thursday. If he gets through the entire game without any problems, the Braves will assess his performance and the team's needs before deciding whether he'll play more rehab games over the weekend.
"We kinda want him to play nine innings," Braves manager Brian Snitker said. "If everything is good and we didn't need him and he could stay there and play another, that would be even better."
Camargo was slated to open the season as Atlanta's third baseman until he started feeling discomfort near his right oblique muscle during a March 13 Grapefruit League game. His actions were limited over most of the two weeks that followed, and he has spent the past week going through workouts with Triple-A Gwinnett, which does not open its season until Friday.
Because Ryan Flaherty has proven to be an effective replacement at third base, the Braves may choose to give Camargo a couple opportunities to reacquaint himself to game speed before putting him back in the lineup. But Snitker made it clear a decision has not been made.
"I'd like to see him play a couple games there," Snitker said. "I think it would be good for him to get in some game-type situations. Even though it's the Minor Leagues, the lights are on and you've got to have your timing and you feel the fatigue of the nine innings."
Sanchez lined up for Saturday
Anibal Sanchez tossed three scoreless innings of relief in his Braves debut during Monday night's loss to the Nationals. The veteran right-hander now stands as the most likely option to start Saturday's game against the Rockies, but a decision might not be made until the team sees whether he's needed as a reliever on Friday.
If Sanchez starts Saturday, each member of the Braves' rotation will make his next respective start with an extra day of rest.
Sanchez signed a Minor League deal with the Braves after being released by the Twins near the end of Spring Training. He is slated to fill the rotation spot earmarked for Luiz Gohara, who is still at least a few weeks away from ending his current DL stint, which was necessitated by a sprained left ankle.
Suzuki nearing a return
Kurt Suzuki was upbeat after he tested his bruised right hand during a variety of hitting and defensive exercises on Tuesday afternoon. The veteran catcher feels he is healthy enough to return for Wednesday afternoon's matchup against Max Scherzer and the Nationals, but the Braves would like to take the cautious route by allowing Suzuki to rest through Thursday's off-day. This sets up the possibility that Carlos Perez will handle the catching duties on Wednesday. Veteran catcher Chris Stewart has started the past three games. The Braves lost Tyler Flowers to a left oblique strain on Opening Day, then saw Suzuki exit Friday's game against the Phillies after his right hand was struck by a Nick Pivetta pitch.
Morris traded
Before Tuesday's game, the Braves dealt right-handed reliever Akeel Morris to the Angels in exchange for a player to be named later or cash. Atlanta designated Morris for assignment on Saturday to create a 40-man roster spot for Perez, who was acquired from the Angels in exchange for Ryan Schimpf.