Braves outfielder Ender Inciarte will soon return from a hamstring injury that’s sidelined him since mid-August, but the Gold Glover may not join the team in New York as initially thought.
Inciarte, 28, traveled with the team to Kansas City and worked with trainers Tuesday afternoon. He’ll do so again Wednesday and if all goes well, could be ready for game action by the weekend. The Braves are off Thursday before playing their final three regular-season games at the Mets.
“Ender had a really good day today, and he’s going to run the bases tomorrow,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “They’re going to get him out there to run the bases and give him a good go tomorrow, then we’ll re-evaluate then.
“They ran him really good today. It’s always a big thing, how he comes back in tomorrow. So hopefully he’ll get on the bases and go as hard as they want him to. Then we’ll see where we’re at.”
Snitker added Inciarte wouldn’t necessarily play against the Mets if cleared. The Braves may opt to send Inciarte to instructional league in Florida, where he could take more live at-bats, some in simulated situations, than if he was in an actual game.
“I don’t know if we’ll do that here or send him somewhere to get a lot of at-bats,” Snitker said. “We’re still working on that process, what the plan of attack will be.”
Inciarte’s quest: To show the team he’s healed to the point he would be an asset on the postseason roster. The regular season wraps up Sunday, and the Braves will begin their playoff run Oct. 3.
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