Atlanta Braves

Braves outfielder Jordan Schafer drove in two runs with a bases-loaded single during a three-run eighth inning in the first game a doubleheader against the Mets Tuesday. Schafer finished 1 for 3 with one walk and two strikeouts.

Schafer came into play Tuesday batting .231 (3 for 13) with two RBI and five strikeouts in 12 June games (one start).

Braves rookie pitcher Alex Wood temporarily stepped away from his bullpen role Tuesday to start the first game of a doubleheader against the Mets. Unfortunately, Wood found out, like many other major-league pitchers have, outdueling Mets ace Matt Harvey isn't an easy feat.

The left-hander lasted only three innings, allowing one run on two hits and three walks during a 4-3 loss. Wood (0-1) struck out five, but he was plagued by a high pitch count and a callous on his left hand. Wood needed 73 pitches (38 strikes) to make it through three innings. A callous plit on his index finger, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Wood said he could have kept pitching, but manager Fredi Gonzalez said he pulled him because of the combination of high pitch count and the finger issue.

Wood was just a spot starter because of the doubleheader and is headed back to the bullpen.

I understand that in smaller mixed leagues where each team starts just one catcher, the Braves' Evan Gattis is fringy to begin with because of his part-time role. But in larger leagues or ones that use two catcher slots, if his trip to the DL puts him on the waiver wire in the days ahead, you have to pick him up.

I understand why his owner might cut him. With his ever-changing role, he's been the embodiment of uncertainty this season, and his oblique injury might just be the straw that breaks the camel's back. But we've already seen that he's perfectly capable of maintaining big power numbers even with sporadic at-bats. They might even help him, to some degree. His home runs often come in bunches after a few days off.

And who knows? While he's on the DL, the Braves may lose someone else to injury. Brian McCann, Freddie Freeman or anyone in the outfield would free up regular at-bats for Gattis. With the power he offers at a weak position, grabbing him now may prove to be the smartest decision you make all season.

Braves catcher Evan Gattis said he strained his right oblique muscle on a check swing in the seventh inning Monday against the Mets. He finished out the game, but he was going to be lifted for a pinch hitter in the ninth inning before Freddie Freeman hit a walk-off homer.

"It just grabbed me on my right side," Gattis said Tuesday, per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I didn’t think I could hit again. Catching, I was loose, warming, and (had) adrenaline going."

Gattis, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, hopes to be back in a few weeks.

"I hope to do whatever I can to get out there as soon as I can," he said.

Braves starting pitcher Tim Hudson is hardly discouraged after seeing his winless streak reach eight starts Monday against the Mets. Hudson pitched well, allowing one run on six hits in seven innings, but he was outdueled by Dillon Gee, who had a shutout until Freddie Freeman's walk-off, two-run homer in the ninth inning.

Hudson is 0-5 with a 4.47 ERA in his last eight starts. He has allowed one run in three of his last four starts and has pitched at least seven innings in four straight starts.

"I feel good about how I'm throwing the ball," Hudson said, per MLB.com. "If I keep throwing it the way I'm throwing, the wins will come. I feel like our team has been playing pretty well. I just happened to be out there on the mound when the other pitcher is throwing a pretty good game."