The Atlanta Braves have the second-best record in the National League, due to fantastic pitching and adequate hitting, the latter of which can be credited mostly to Brian McCann and Freddie Freeman. Chipper Jones has been pretty good, too ... but he’s out for a few weeks. So this news about Martin Prado is welcome, indeed (via Carroll Rogers and AJC.com):
Martin Prado Slated For Friday Return To Braves’ Lineup
The Braves plan to activate Martin Prado from the disabled list Friday for the second-half opener against the Nationals, barring any problems Thursday night at Double-A Mississippi.
Prado has missed 31 games recovering from staph-infection surgery in his right calf.
Prado opened the season in left field, but he’s shifting to third base -- where he started 42 games last year and 11 more this year -- until Chipper’s return. Of course, the Braves also have holes in the outfield, but Prado’s experience at third makes him the obvious choice to fill in there for a spell.
As well as the Braves have played, if they can somehow get everyone healthy -- Prado and Jones, plus Jason Heyward -- they might actually challenge the Phillies for the division title. Especially if Dan Uggla ever remembers himself.*
* In the Navajo language (spoken, not written), Uggla means “owl”.
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