Kelly Johnson to Rehab with Gwinnett

Atlanta Braves' outfielder set to join club on June 8 at Coolray Field

June 7, 2015

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - The Atlanta Braves announced today that outfielder Kelly Johnson will begin a rehab assignment with the Gwinnett Braves on Monday, June 8. Johnson has been on Atlanta's 15-day disabled list since May 14 with a right oblique strain.

Johnson, 33, batted .259 (21-for-81) with three doubles, six home runs, 11 runs scored and 18 RBIs in 28 games with the Braves prior to suffering the injury on May 13 at Cincinnati. He is set to rehab with Gwinnett for the second time in his career and first time since 2009 when he batted .308 (16-for-52) with two doubles, two triples, three home runs and 16 RBIs in a 13-game stint.

Originally selected by the Braves in the first round of the 2000 June draft, Johnson returned to Atlanta for the first time since 2009 when he signed a free agent contract on January 22, 2015. He has batted .250 (1,004-for-4,010) with 208 doubles, 40 triples, 137 home runs and 487 RBIs over 1,186 career Major League games with the Braves (2005, 2007-09, 2015), Arizona Diamondbacks (2010-11), Toronto Blue Jays (2011-12), Tampa Bay Rays (2013), New York Yankees (2014), Boston Red Sox (2014) and Baltimore Orioles (2014).

Johnson is a career .281 hitter (618-for-2,200) in 616 minor league games, including 133 doubles, 24 triples, 75 home runs, 290 RBIs and 74 stolen bases.

The Gwinnett Braves open a three-game series against the Norfolk Tides Monday night at Coolray Field, first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Left-hander Greg Smith (1-3, 3.41 ERA) will start for the G-Braves, while the Tides will counter with right-hander Zach Davies (3-3, 2.96 ERA). Tony Schiavone has the play-by-play call on 97.7 FM and WSBRadio.com beginning at 6:00 p.m.

All tickets (excluding the Home Plate Club) are just $5 for the first "$5 Monday" of the season. It's also a "Meal Deal Monday" featuring a chili cheese dog, chips and 16 oz. soft drink for $6 at the Flashpoint Grille. To purchase tickets, call the Coolray Field Ticket Office at 678-277-0340 or visit GwinnettBraves.com/tickets.