Gosselin day to day with sprained thumb

MIAMI -- After celebrating Shelby Miller's near no-hitter and a sweep-clinching 6-0 win over the Marlins on Sunday afternoon at Marlins Park, the Braves had to face the fact that they might be without newly-appointed third baseman Phil Gosselin for at least the next few games.

Gosselin sprained his left thumb while diving to his right to make a diving stop of Adeiny Hechavarria's groundout in the third inning. The versatile infielder exited the game at the end of the inning. He will be evaluated by the Braves' medical staff in Atlanta on Monday.

"I think I'll be all right," Gosselin said while wearing a brace on his left hand. "As soon as I see the doctor, I'll know. But I'm pretty positive about it until I hear otherwise."

With third baseman Chris Johnson expected to remain on the disabled list for at least another week with a fractured left hand, the Braves have to hope Gosselin gets good news on Monday.

Alberto Callaspo had served as Atlanta's starting third baseman most of this month. But with Callaspo hitting just .111 (4-for-36) in his past 13 games, Gosselin was given a chance to fill the position at the start of each of this weekend's three games in Miami.

Gosselin notched three hits in Friday night's series-opening victory and added a single during Sunday afternoon's five-run second inning.

Pedro Ciriaco served as Atlanta's third baseman over the final six innings of Sunday's game and could continue to fill that role until Gosselin returns. Ciriaco has recorded three hits, including two doubles, in the seven at-bats he has compiled since being promoted from Triple-A Gwinnett earlier this month.