Braves' Freeman, top prospect Olivera to start rehab stints Thursday
Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman and highly regarded prospect Hector Olivera will each begin a rehab assignment Thursday in the Gulf Coast League.
Freeman has been sidelined since Aug. 3 with a strained right oblique, an injury he sustained in his 10th game after missing more than a month with a sprained right wrist. Braves president John Hart said there's a "good chance" Freeman will return to the lineup when he's ready to come off the 15-day disabled list on Aug. 19.
Despite playing in only 76 games this season, Freeman still leads offensively challenged Atlanta with 14 home runs.
The Braves acquired Olivera as part of the 13-player blockbuster deadline deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins. The Dodgers signed Olivera to a six-year, $62 million contract in the offseason that included a guaranteed $28 million signing bonus.
The 30-year-old Cuban, who has been out with a hamstring injury, batted .348 at three minor league levels this season, including .387 (12-for-31) in seven games at Triple-A Oklahoma City before he was hurt. He is expected to play two to three games with the Gulf Coast affiliate.
#Braves Hart says Freeman and Olivera to begin rehab assignments at GCL Thurs.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienAJC) August 12, 2015
Olivera play 2-3 games in the GCL before they move him up. Will evaluate after 5-7 games. Could join #Braves before end of Aug
— Kevin McAlpin (@KevinMcAlpin) August 12, 2015
