Rodriguez, Johnson progressing in rehab

With Sean Rodriguez and Micah Johnson progressing steadily in surgery rehab, the Braves could have the stronger bench they envisioned by season’s end.

They could also have a potential second-base replacement in either of them — Johnson is farther along in rehab — if Brandon Phillips is traded before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. Prospect Ozzie Albies is the presumed leading candidate to take over that spot unless the Braves decide he’s not quite ready.

Regardless of how they’re used, Rodriguez and Johnson would be welcome additions at some point after the All-Star break.

Johnson, a second baseman acquired in a January trade from the Dodgers, impressed during the first month of spring training with his speed, line-drive power and how quickly he adapted to playing in the outfield. The 26-year-old was competing for a bench job before breaking his left wrist making a spectacular diving catch near the left-field line in a Grapefruit League game.

He was antsy to get going during the mandatory down time but has regained his strength in the wrist and his upper body after being forced to wear a sling for an extended period after surgery. This week he began to increase the intensity of his batting-cage sessions, moving from hitting balls off a tee to hitting soft-toss.

“I watched him in the cage and he was turning it loose,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said Monday. “And Sean’s doing really well; he’s doing the defensive drills, he’s swinging. So they’re both coming around really good.”

Johnson could begin a minor league rehab assignment before much longer. But the greater impact on the Braves would come from the return of Rodriguez. He has been with the team on all of its homestands this season and has bulked up considerably since he first showed up at spring training after his rotator cuff surgery, his arm and shoulder in a sling and his body noticeably thinner than he looked last year when he was having a career season for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

“I know there’s probably for the body to heal, there’s a timetable when he’s ready,” Snitker said. “An injury like that, it’s like a Tommy John guy. They say they feel really good and they’re at their weakest at that point. So I’m sure there’s a timetable for him more than what he’s doing. But he looks really good.”