Minor makes final Triple-A rehab start

NEW YORK -- Mike Minor is currently on track to make his season debut on Saturday against the Reds.

Minor threw 80 pitches over the six innings he completed for Triple-A Gwinnett during his final Minor League rehab start on Saturday night. Highly-regarded White Sox prospect Matt Davidson's two-run, first-inning home run accounted for the only damage Minor incurred until an error and passed ball allowed Charlotte to tally an unearned run in the sixth.

The Braves have been anxiously awaiting the return of Minor, who was slowed during the early portion of Spring Training by a cranky left shoulder that was blamed on the month-long stretch of inactivity the pitcher experienced after undergoing a Dec. 31 urinary tract procedure.

When Minor is activated from the disabled list, David Hale will likely be the odd man out. Hale would either move to Atlanta's bullpen or go to Gwinnett to continue serving as a starter.