The chance of Jason Heyward rejoining the Braves before the end of the season is beginning to look better.
Heyward continues to take batting practice on the team’s six-game road trip to Washington and Chicago. The club even took the additional step of bringing in minor league right-handed pitcher Mark Lamm to throw a 30-minute session of batting practice to Heyward on Tuesday.
That’s the first time he had seen live pitching — other than that offered by coaches during batting practice — since he was struck by the Jon Niese pitch that broke his jaw Aug. 21.
Heyward would not commit to any sort of timetable for his return.
“Day by day,” he said.
The club had originally considered sending Heyward to the instructional league to face some live pitching. They opted instead to use an established minor leaguer to pitch to Heyward and not take a chance on an accident with a rookie trying to make an impression with team officials.
Lamm threw from the mound and used a variety of pitches, including a fastball that topped out at 92 mph. Lamm was used this year in Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett; he made 53 appearances, throwing 68 innings, striking out 70 and posting a 2.93 ERA.
The team will continue to consider additional live batting practice sessions for Heyward, either by bringing in another minor league pitcher or by using some of the extra pitchers who were recalled when the roster expanded.
“Kind of see where we are and still continue to look at what the progression should be or can be,” general manager Frank Wrenn said. “It’s a very fluid situation, because you’re trying to do what’s best for him and what’s best to get him ready, and also being mindful of his health and how he feels.”
The Braves have struggled without Heyward’s bat at the top of the order. They were 12-13 in the first 25 games following his injury and hit .227, averaging just 3.1 runs per game.