ATLANTA -- The Braves activated Matt Kemp from the 10-day disabled list and placed him back in the middle of their lineup Thursday with the hope he will pick up where he left off before he strained his left hamstring on April 7.
Before Thursday night's series finale against Washington, Atlanta also recalled right-hander Aaron Blair from Triple-A Gwinnett. Infielder Johan Camargo and right-handed reliever Luke Jackson were optioned to Gwinnett.
The Braves had to make a bullpen move after Josh Collmenter threw 50 pitches and Jackson pitched on a third consecutive day during Wednesday's 14-4 loss to the Nationals. With these two relievers unavailable for Thursday's game, Atlanta promoted Blair, who threw 90 pitches during Sunday's start with Gwinnett, to have a long-relief option.
Kemp missed 10 games after suffering the hamstring strain while playing in chilly conditions in Pittsburgh. The outfielder had gone 8-for-16 with four doubles and two home runs leading up to the injury.