Uggla takes BP; Johnson starts at second

ST. LOUIS -- When Dan Uggla complained about the batter's eye while taking early batting practice at Busch Stadium on Thursday afternoon, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez playfully told his second baseman that he was happy he could see.

Uggla underwent LASIK surgery on Aug. 16 to repair the blurred vision he has experienced while hitting .186 with 21 homers and a .696 OPS this year. He will likely play at least one Minor League rehab game early next week and then rejoin Atlanta's lineup on Wednesday, the day he is eligible to be activated from the disabled list.

Paul Janish has made most of the starts at second base over the past week. But in attempt to gain a better offensive threat, the Braves claimed Elliot Johnson off waivers from the Royals on Wednesday. Johnson started at second base in Thursday night's series opener against the Cardinals and singled in his first at-bat to snap an 0-for-31 skid.

"[Johnson] is a nice piece to have in your inventory off the bench," Gonzalez said. "He's a good National League player."

The switch-hitting Johnson batted .179 with a .218 on-base percentage in 79 games with the Royals this season. But he was perfect in each of his first 14 stolen base attempts.