The Atlanta Braves announced shortly before game time on Sunday that they were placing center fielder Ender Inciarte on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring.
#Braves OF Ender Inciarte placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 10, 2016
The club felt that Inciarte would not be ready in time for tomorrow’s series in Washington. In a yet to be officially announced corresponding move, rookie center fielder Mallex Smith will be joining the team in Washington tomorrow according to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman. Mallex was removed from the Gwinnett Braves’ game in Norfolk shortly after the Inciarte announcement. It will be his major league debut.
Mallex Smith is a name you’ve probably heard by now. He was the Atlanta Braves Minor League Player of the Year in 2015, after joining the organization in the Justin Upton trade back in December 2014. His best tool when acquired was obviously his 80 grade speed, but his bat has been the talk of late. He was 6-15 (2 2B, 1 3B) with a stolen base in 3 games for Gwinnett this season, a follow up to his fantastic spring in which he hit .346/.393/.808 in 26 AB’s. The 22 year old Tallahassee, Florida native hit .303/.371/.378 with 56 stolen bases between AA Mississippi and AAA Gwinnett in 2015.