Braves catcher Brian McCann returns to action from paternity leave on Saturday afternoon, and the team has called up shortstop Tyler Pastornicky from Triple-A Gwinnett, reported The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's David O'Brien.
J.C. Boscan was optioned to Triple-A to make room for McCann, who returns to the lineup riding a five-game hitting streak. In six games and 22 at-bats in July, McCann is hitting .364/.375/.909, with four home runs and 11 RBI.
Pastornicky has played 45 games with the Braves this season, hitting .248/.281/324, with one home run and 12 RBI. In 38 games with the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves, Pastornicky's numbers are a little better: .268/.317/.399, one home run, and 20 RBI.
With shortstop Andrelton Simmons out with a broken bone in his hand, and backup Jack Wilson out with a dislocated pinkie finger, Pastornicky's been summoned, but the Braves might look to the trade market for more help. They've been linked to Seattle's Brendan Ryan.
Martin Prado, who's played three games at shortstop in his seven-year career, gets the start at short Saturday afternoon. He took over at the position Friday night, after Wilson was injured.
Eventually, O'Brien noted, the Braves want Pastornicky to be an outfielder, so he isn't a long-term solution in Atlanta.
