Gattis latest Brave to battle stomach bug

WASHINGTON -- After hitting his first home run of the season in Friday afternoon's game against the Nationals, Braves starting catcher Evan Gattis returned to his hotel room and began battling the same stomach bug that weakened two members of Atlanta's starting rotation earlier this week.

With Gattis unavailable, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez opted to utilize Ryan Doumit as his starting catcher for Saturday night's matchup against Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg. To get another left-handed bat in the lineup against Strasburg, Gonzalez opted to play Doumit, a switch-hitter, instead of Gerald Laird, Gattis' primary backup.

David Hale began vomiting during Wednesday afternoon's series finale in Milwaukee, and remained sick as the Braves spent the evening hours traveling to Washington. Hale woke up feeling weak on Thursday morning. But he regained enough strength to toss five scoreless innings and get the win in Friday's series opener against the Nationals.

"It works quick, it's not one that lasts," Hale said of the bug.

Alex Wood started feeling sick shortly after he completed seven innings and earned the win in Tuesday night's game against the Brewers. He regained his strength over the past couple of days, and he does not believe he will be bothered by the after effects when he starts Sunday afternoon's series finale against the Nationals.

While the Braves are hopeful that Gattis also realizes a quick recovery, Laird will likely serve as Atlanta's starting catcher on Sunday.