ATLANTA -- Touki Toussaint is a little more than a week away from returning to the Majors and Max Fried has recovered sooner than expected, so the Braves will have the option to resume using a six-man rotation next week.
When Fried strained his left groin during last week's start against the Nationals, the Braves initially feared he would be sidelined until September. But the young southpaw has made a quick recovery and is scheduled to make a rehab start for Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.
If all goes well for Fried, there is a chance he could make his next start for Atlanta as early as next Wednesday in Pittsburgh. His return would allow the Braves to once again creatively construct the six-man rotation that was put in place earlier this month to allow each starter to pitch with an extra day of rest.
But the Braves might delay returning to a six-man rotation until Toussaint can return to the Majors.
After Toussaint limited the Marlins to one run over six innings in his Major League debut on Monday, he was sent back to Triple-A Gwinnett with the understanding that if he was not part of a disabled-list transaction, he would not be eligible to return to Atlanta's roster before Aug. 23.

If Toussaint starts for Gwinnett on Saturday, he would be lined up to make the Aug. 23 start in Miami on regular rest.
The Braves have a scheduled off-day on Aug. 27. If Fried starts on Wednesday in Pittsburgh, there would not necessarily be a need for Toussaint to become the sixth man in the rotation until Sept. 2.
Odds and Ends 
• Left-handed reliever Sam Freeman could be activated from the disabled list early next week. Freeman is currently scheduled to make two more rehab appearances for Gwinnett.
• Right-handed reliever Shane Carle is currently working out at the Braves' Spring Training complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Carle was placed on the DL last week with right shoulder inflammation. He has not been cleared to begin throwing activities.