BJ Upton Placed on 15-Day DL; Evan Gattis Activated

Jul 12, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder B.J. Upton (2) is walked off the field by the team trainer in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

After the rash of injuries sustained to the Braves’ outfield in recent days, it was almost inevitable that a move would be coming, and it finally occurred on Sunday morning. BJ Upton was placed on the 15-day disabled list with his diagnosed adductor strain, and C/OF Evan Gattis was activated from the DL after a short rehab stint.

It was clear that BJ Upton had the “worst” of the injuries to the outfield trio, and it shouldn’t be a shock to see him hit the DL today. I don’t believe that it will take him the full two weeks to recover, but with the 4-day grace period that is the All-Star break, it was clearly the move to DL him.

As for Gattis, it is nice to see him back on the roster and healthy. He is in the lineup up Sunday as the 1st baseman (giving the banged-up Freeman a day game off), but I would expect that if he’s physically ready, he’ll see some extended time in the outfield next week in BJ’s absence. I would certainly prefer to see a healthy Jason Heyward in center field with Gattis in LF and Justin Upton in RF over any over alternative.

Buried in the news cycle at the same time as the Upton/Gattis move was announced, Tom Hart (of Fox) simply tweeted this:

While we don’t have details on this move as of this post, it is widely speculated that Alex Wood could be claiming a rotation spot. Brandon Beachy doesn’t seem to be ready yet, and with Medlen and Maholm both struggling, it wouldn’t be a shock to see either one supplanted. Stay tuned for news as it breaks.