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Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: so you’re telling me there’s a chance

By Alan Carpenter

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 26: Brian McCann #16 of the Atlanta Braves hits a home run during the fifth inning of a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 26, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Braves defeated the Phillies 9-2. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 26: Brian McCann #16 of the Atlanta Braves hits a home run during the fifth inning of a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 26, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Braves defeated the Phillies 9-2. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MAY 23: Austin Riley #27 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates a two run home run with Dansby Swanson #7 during the eighth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on May 23, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MAY 23: Austin Riley #27 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates a two run home run with Dansby Swanson #7 during the eighth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on May 23, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /

Two of the kids getting ready

DANSBY SWANSON / AUSTIN RILEY –

The plan is for each to start out as a Designated Hitter in Rome on these consecutive days, presumably with Swanson playing shortstop on Friday.

This is another case in which the team can afford ‘slow roll’ both of these players, and this is possible thanks to the performance of the replacements that have been inserted in their places.

There’s another reason, too:  the schedule.  When we talk about the ‘timing’ of getting players back, that certainly includes the fact that the Braves face only 1 team with a record above .500 until September 5.

Progress for some Vets?

NICK MARKAKIS –

So 6 weeks would be September 6th, if the timetable is maintained (cast removal by then).

After that, Nick Markakis would need to play … somewhere… to get his swing back, but only the instructional league route would be available by then.  So in his specific case, the timing isn’t as good as for the others above, but the Braves will likely have enough time to get him up to speed by the end of September.

ENDER INCIARTE –

Unfortunately, the timing can’t always work out well for everyone.

Ender Inciarte is the case that almost certainly will be the most difficult to resolve.  Even the best-case scenario (based on current reports) might only get him back on the field with a week to go in the regular season… and a center fielder certainly needs to have his legs at 100%, so the idea of rushing him back has to be completely ruled out.

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