Jordan Schafer Joins Gwinnett on Rehab Assignment
LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - The Gwinnett Braves, in conjunction with the Atlanta Braves, have announced the addition of outfielder Jordan Schafer to the Gwinnett roster on a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment. Schafer, on Atlanta's disabled list since July 4 with a stress fracture in his right ankle, is expected to begin the assignment on Saturday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park as the G-Braves open a two-game series against the Durham Bulls.
Also announced by the Atlanta Braves on Saturday, outfielder B.J. Upton has completed his rehab assignment with Gwinnett and has been activated from the disabled list. Upton, on Atlanta's disabled list since July 13 with a right thigh strain, hit .333 (4-for-12) with three doubles, three runs scored and two RBIs in three games with the G-Braves.
Schafer, 26, was hitting .312 (39-for-125) with six doubles, two triples, three home runs, 15 RBIs and a team-leading nine stolen bases prior to the injury. The left-handed hitting outfielder has a career .234 batting average (212-for-907) with 11 home runs, 59 RBIs and 60 stolen bases in 299 Major League games with Atlanta (2009, 2011, 2013) and Houston (2011-12). He spent most of last season with the Astros, hitting .211 (66-for-313) with four homers, 23 RBIs and 27 stolen bases in 106 games. The Braves claimed him off waivers from Houston on November 1, 2012.
Schafer was originally drafted in the third round of the 2005 First Year Player Draft by Atlanta out of Winter Haven High School (Winter Haven, FL). He made his Major League debut with the Braves in on April 5, 2009 at Philadelphia, starting in center field and belting a home run in his first career plate appearance against Phillies' right-hander Brett Myers. He spent parts of the 2009 and 2011 seasons with Atlanta before being shipped to Houston via trade. On July 31, 2011, Schafer was dealt to the Astros along with pitchers Juan Abreu, Paul Clemens and Brett Oberholtzer in exchange for outfielder Michael Bourn.
This rehab stint with Gwinnett will mark Schafer's first games with Atlanta's Triple-A affiliate since 2011, when he played in 42 games for the club. In parts of three seasons with the G-Braves from 2009 through 2011, he hit .227 (88-for-388) with 13 doubles, one triple, four home runs, 32 RBIs and 18 stolen bases.
Schafer will be the 10th Atlanta Braves' player to spend a rehab stint with Gwinnett this season, joining infielder Paul Janish (left shoulder surgery, April 15-24, May 5-10), first baseman Freddie Freeman (strained right oblique, April 19-21), catcher Brian McCann (right shoulder surgery, May 2-5), outfielder Jason Heyward (appendectomy, May 9-15), right-hander Jordan Walden (right elbow inflammation, May 27), right-hander Luis Ayala (anxiety disorder, May 8-14, June 20-July 4), catcher Evan Gattis (strained right oblique, July 12-13), right-hander Brandon Beachy (right elbow surgery, May 19-28, June 8-14, July 9-24) and outfielder B.J. Upton (right thigh strain, July 31-August 2).
The Gwinnett Braves will hit the road and open a two-game series against the Durham Bulls on Saturday night. First pitch from Durham Bulls Athletic Park is scheduled for 7:05 PM. Right-hander Kameron Loe (4-2, 3.19) will take the ball for the G-Braves in a match-up against left-hander Mike Montgomery (5-5. 4.26) of the Bulls. The radio broadcast will air on WDUN 550 AM and 102.9 FM with Tony Schiavone calling the play-by-play.
The next G-Braves home game is Friday, August 9, a 7:05 PM game against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Tickets for all remaining 2013 Gwinnett Braves home games are on sale now by visiting the Coolray Field Box Office, calling (678) 277-0340 or by purchasing online at gwinnettbraves.com.