ATLANTA -- Gordon Beckham did not realize his goal to exit Spring Training as Atlanta's primary third baseman. But upon being activated from the disabled list, Beckham found himself starting at the hot corner in Tuesday night's series opener against the Phillies.
"I want to play [Beckham] a little more now just to get him some at-bats," said Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez, who counts the recently-demoted Adonis Garcia as one of the five players who have started at third base through this season's first 31 games.
Beckham will provide the Braves another versatile right-handed option off the bench, but Gonzalez indicated that the 29-year-old veteran may get a few starts at third base this week.

Before being sidelined by a strained left hamstring that he suffered on April 16, Beckham recorded seven hits, including two doubles, in 25 at-bats. He had been positioned at second base for each of his five starts before Tuesday.
Matt Tuiasosopo was designated for assignment to create a roster spot for Beckham. Tuiasosopo went hitless in the three at-bats he tallied since being promoted from Triple-A Gwinnett last week.