ATLANTA -- The Braves received a boost on Monday night when third baseman Johan Camargo returned to the lineup against the Cardinals at SunTrust Park.
Camargo was batting .307 with a .524 slugging percentage since the All-Star break when he left the Sept. 11 game against the Giants with tightness in his left groin. He missed four games and nearly returned on Sunday against the Nationals, but he was left in the on-deck circle when the contest ended.
"It's a great feeling to be able to see your name in the lineup again," Camargo said before the game through an interpreter. "This hasn't been the easiest process. I'm just grateful for the opportunity.
"We're coming in to fight every day. We know we're not going to win every game, but we're fortunate to have the veterans that we do [for stability]. I'm excited to be back."
Manager Brian Snitker welcomes Camargo's return.
"He was playing really good before he got hurt," Snitker said. "He probably could have played [on Sunday], but it was good to stay away from him another day and give him more [recovery time]. He's good to go."
The thrill of the chase
With the Braves drawing closer to the National League East title, Snitker said that he and his players are having a blast playing meaningful games in September.
"All you think about is getting to the ballpark," Snitker said. "You wake up, have a couple of cups of coffee, and you want to get here. This is the comfort zone, where you feel good. You can control things here. All your focus is on the game, and it's a really cool experience.
"Our guys are just playing. They're a bunch of young guys, and the dugout feels like it's American Legion baseball. There's so much energy and emotion, it's unbelievable. They're not thinking about anything but the game and getting after it every single night."
The Wright stuff
Snitker has been impressed with the work of right-hander Kyle Wright (0-0, 1.80 ERA in three appearances), the former Vanderbilt University player who was the Braves' first-round pick in 2017.
Wright is the first Braves player since 2013 to make the Majors the year after he was drafted (Alex Wood).
"Kyle played a lot of meaningful games at Vanderbilt," Snitker said. "Those guys are exposed to so much at a young age these days. It definitely matures them quicker. It helps them to not be in awe of the situation. He has been raised in the game and has experienced a lot already."