Dan Uggla Joins Gwinnett on Rehab Assignment

Atlanta Braves' second baseman expected to join G-Braves tonight at Coolray Field

By Juan Dorado

August 26, 2013

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - The Gwinnett Braves, in conjunction with the Atlanta Braves, have announced the addition of infielder Dan Uggla to the Gwinnett roster on a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment. Uggla, on Atlanta's disabled list since August 13 as he underwent a LASIK procedure to improve his eyesight, is expected to begin the assignment on Monday night at Coolray Field as the G-Braves open a two-game series with Norfolk at 6:05 PM.

Uggla, 33, was hitting .186 (72-for-388) with 10 doubles, three triples, 21 home runs and 53 RBIs in 112 games with Atlanta prior to being placed on the disabled list. The right-handed hitting infielder is batting .247 (1,098-for-4,438) with 231 doubles, 16 triples, 230 home runs and 678 RBIs over parts of eight Major League seasons with the Florida Marlins (2006-10) and Atlanta Braves (2011-13).

Uggla was originally selected in the 11^th round of the 2001 First Year Player Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks out of the University of Memphis. A Rule 5 selection by Florida in 2005, he went on to make his Major League debut with the Marlins on April 3, 2006. Atlanta acquired Uggla from Florida in exchange for left-hander Mike Dunn and infielder Omar Infante on November 16, 2010. He signed a five-year contract with the Braves through 2015 on January 6, 2011.

This rehab stint with Gwinnett will mark the first career Triple-A games for Uggla, who skipped over the level on his way to the Majors. It will also be his first career minor league rehab assignment.

Uggla will be the 12^th 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), outfielder B.J. Upton (right thigh strain, July 31-August 2), outfielder Jordan Schafer (right ankle contusion, August 3-9) and catcher Gerald Laird (kidney stone, August 10-11).

The Gwinnett Braves return to Coolray Field to begin the final homestand of 2013 on Monday night. The opener of a two-game series against the Norfolk Tides begins at 6:05 PM. Newly-acquired right-hander Freddy Garcia (8-3, 2.84 with Norfolk) will start for the G-Braves, while the Tides will counter with left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada (4-6, 4.52). The radio broadcast will air on WDUN 550 AM and 102.9 FM.

Monday is "Kids Eat Free Night" at Coolray Field, with all kids (ages 12 and under) receiving a voucher good for a hot dog, bag of chips and small soda. For tickets to all remaining Gwinnett Braves home games, call the Coolray Field Box Office at (678) 277-0340 or visit gwinnettbraves.com.