Denver, CO – The Atlanta Braves placed outfielder Jason Heyward on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, but got a boost as first baseman Freddie Freeman returned to the starting lineup for the opener of a doubleheader against the Colorado Rockies.
Freeman was batting .412 with one home run and seven RBI through five games before a strained oblique muscle forced the fourth-year slugger to land on the DL.
Heyward, meanwhile, underwent successful appendectomy surgery on Monday night at Rose Medical Center in Denver. The 23-year-old outfielder is hitting .121 with two home runs and five RBI in 17 games this season.
Infielder Tyler Pastornicky was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to replace Heyward on the roster after batting .351 with six doubles and seven RBI over 18 games with Gwinnett this season.
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