ATLANTA — The Atlanta offense has suffered without Freddie Freeman in the lineup, but the Braves still have been able to play close to .500 baseball without their first baseman.
They are hoping to have their only real power threat back by the time their upcoming 10-game road trip reaches Philadelphia on July 30.
Freeman began intensified workouts in Florida on Wednesday at the team’s training complex and plans to test his right wrist fully in two rehab games for Triple-A Gwinnett early next week before the targeted return against the Phillies.
“Now, it’s just the waiting game,” Freeman said after taking full batting practice for the first time on Tuesday at Turner Field. “I’ve got to go through the rehab process.”
Freeman hasn’t played since June 27 and the Braves have gone 13-16 since while averaging less than three runs per game. The team had scored four runs per game with the slugger.
Missing more than a month has been frustrating for Freeman, who had played in 243 consecutive games before going on the disabled list.
His right wrist discomfort lingered longer than expected and he did not experience any relief until fluid was drained from his right hand last week and he had two cortisone injections.
“It’s starting to feel close to 100 percent and I think we’re really, really close,” Freeman said.