ATLANTA -- Reds manager Bryan Price is optimistic Billy Hamilton will return from the seven-day disabled list on Thursday for the series finale against the Braves at Turner Field.
Before Wednesday's contest in Atlanta, Price said Hamilton, who was placed on the DL on Friday after suffering a concussion, underwent tests. The results from those tests were submitted to associate team physician Dr. Angel Velazquez in Cincinnati and MLB.
Hamilton took the field before Wednesday's game and participated in batting practice.
"I don't know the test results yet, but I do know he feels great," Price said. "And today … he'll be able to do some outdoor baseball activity -- catch some fly balls, throw, hit live on the field. And that will definitely be kind of the final checklist. If he passes the test, before he's able to go back and start playing again, potentially as early as tomorrow."
Hamilton suffered the concussion when he was hit in the head sliding into third base on June 8 against the Cardinals. He was batting .417 (10-for-24) in June before the injury.
Worth noting
• Price said he's waiting until after Thursday's game to announce who will start Saturday against the Astros. The spot in the rotation previously belonged to right-hander Daniel Wright, who allowed five runs (three earned) across three innings against the Braves on Monday, before he was sent down to Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday.