The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hot Braves may be getting healthier
Markakis, Inciarte are optimistic about returning this month.
The Braves, winners of eight consecutive games entering Saturday, could welcome the return of two regular outfielders before September’s end.
Nick Markakis is progressing from a fractured wrist and could be back as soon as next weekend. Ender Inciarte remains optimistic he’ll work his way back from a hamstring injury by the end of the regular season.
Markakis, in his first stint on the injured list since 2012, has been sidelined since late July. He has always targeted a mid-September return date, which appears increasingly likely. The right fielder will take at-bats in simulated scenarios next week and the team will take it from there.
“Nick is doing real good,” manager Brian Snitker said. “Taking batting practice and everything. Hopefully we’ll get him in a couple (simulated) games in Philadelphia and see where we’re at. He’s progressing really good.”
While Markakis could return next weekend, Inciarte is just hopeful to be back before the postseason. He’s missed 18 games with a right hamstring strain but has felt better recently, he said, pushing himself “65 to 70” percent Saturday without any issues.
Inciarte has been swinging in
the batting cage and facing the pitching machine at higher speeds. His timetable will be determined in how he fares running. Snitker remains cautiously optimistic, citing Inciarte’s work ethic — he’s the first one at the ballpark every day — and recent progress.
“I have to take it day to day,” Inciarte said. “Hamstring issues, you have to be careful. You only have one shot to get it right because if not I’ll probably lose the rest of the season.
“I’m pretty positive I will (be back before the postseason). I don’t want to say it will happen that way. God’s in control. Hopefully I’ll come back when it’s best for me and the team. I really want to play. I watch the games every day from the dugout, and it makes me want to be part of what the team’s doing every day. … I’m doing the best I can to come back early. I can’t tell you or not which date that’s going to be, but I’m pretty encouraged it’ll be before the season ends.” Albies makes it 20-homer quartet: Ozzie Albies wasn’t supposed to be such a home-run threat, yet from the moment he arrived in the majors, he’s shown consistent pop beyond just gap power.
Albies reached 20 homers Friday, taking Patrick Corbin deep in the Braves’ win. It’s his second consecutive season hitting 20 homers.
The 22-year-old has thrived in the 2-hole behind friend Ronald Acuna, where he’s tormented pitching and thrilled on the basepaths.
The duo showed it Thursday, when Acuña’s single and steal quickly translated into a run on Albies’ homer. The latter handled duties himself Friday, putting the Braves up early on one of the league’s best southpaws.
It was Albies’ 50th career homer. He became the sixth-youngest Brave to reach that mark, following Hank Aaron, Acuna, Bob Horner, Andruw Jones and Eddie Mathews.
On the present-day Braves, Albies is the fourth player to reach 20 homers, joining Freddie Freeman, Josh Donaldson and Acuna, all of whom have a shot at 40. This is the first time since 2013 the Braves have had at least four players hit 20 homers (that team boasted five 20-plus homer bats).
“We definitely have some power,” Donaldson said. “Now Ozzie’s got 20. We have some guys who can hit the ball but I feel like we have some pretty quality hitters who can spray the ball around the yard.”