Backup catcher solidified...

C Evan Gattis hits third HR of season last night into the pool: Photo: AP  Wilfredo Lee

Some people might not think too much of the backup catcher role, but that was something I thought about during the offseason. During the offseason Braves backup catcher David Ross signed on with the Boston Red Sox, which left a void behind the plate. To further the matter starting catcher Brian McCann has been out all offseason recovering from a right shoulder injury, and with surgery, McCann started the season on the DL.

Right now the Braves have two catchers on the roster: Evan Gattis and Gerald Laird. When Brian McCann returns to the active roster later this month one of the catchers will have to go. There is one option that Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez could do, move one of the catchers to back up 1B Freddie Freeman who is actually on the DL with an oblique strain. But that's not a likely scenario because if they kept all three players someone on the roster will have to be dropped. The Braves need to keep Gattis as a backup to keep his bat on the roster. This only means that Laird will be the odd man out and he might be opted to the minors or released. Gattis is the future behind the plate. The Braves are not getting rid of McCann who is a fan favorite, and Gattis is also becoming a fan favorite. Gattis actually looks like a younger McCann.

So far this season Gattis is hitting .391 with three homers. The unique thing about his homers are they are monster shots that leave the ballpark in a hurry. Gattis helped propel the Braves to their sixth win last night as they improved their MLB best record to 8-1 while they also lead the NL East by 1.5 games over the Washington Nationals (6-2). Check the current NL East standings on the right side of my blog page. Gattis hit a line drive shot over the left field fence at Marlins Park as the Braves finished the sweep of the Marlins 8-0.

The Braves are off today as they travel to the Nations Capital to take on the Nationals on Friday night, first pitch 7:05 pm est.

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Mark A. Kirkley: twitter @makirkley