SEATTLE -- Michael Harris II tested his left quad muscle by playing left field against the Mariners on Tuesday night at T-Mobile Park. If all goes well, he could resume his role as the Braves’ everyday center fielder as early as this weekend at Dodger Stadium.
“We’ve got to see how this goes, but this whole thing has been a progression from being off to being available as a pinch-hitter to [being used as a designated hitter] and now playing the field,” manager Walt Weiss said. “It’s little by little, but I think center field is in the close future.”
Harris has been limited since tweaking his left quad during a three-hit game against the Nationals on April 23. He delivered a go-ahead, pinch-hit double the next night and drilled a go-ahead, pinch-hit homer in the ninth inning of Friday’s comeback win over the Rockies.
But his defensive play since suffering the injury had been limited to serving as Atlanta’s center fielder during the entirety of games against the Tigers on April 28-29.
Harris’ return to the field will allow the Braves to consistently utilize Dominic Smith as their designated hitter against right-handed starters. Smith has been one of Atlanta’s top offensive producers this year. But his plate appearances were limited over the past couple weeks as Harris has been used as the DH three times going back to April 25.