Thursday workout will be telling for Freeman

ATLANTA -- Freddie Freeman is aiming to rejoin the Braves' lineup during Monday's series opener against the Rockies at Coors Field. But the first baseman will first test his previously strained right oblique muscle during a three-game rehab stint with Triple-A Gwinnett.

Freeman will work out with Gwinnett before Thursday night's home game at Coolray Field. If all goes well, the 23-year-old will be in Gwinnett's lineup for the entirety of this weekend's three-game series against Charlotte.

"I feel great," said Freeman after pushing himself during a batting-practice session in Turner Field's indoor batting cages on Wednesday.

Freeman strained his oblique during the workout staged prior to the regular-season opener against the Phillies. He homered in his first at-bat during the Opening Day victory over Philadelphia and hit .412 (7-for-17) with a .647 slugging percentage in the five games he played before the Braves shut him down.

In other injury-related news, Brian McCann is expected to begin catching in extended spring camp games on either Thursday or Friday. McCann, who is recovering from offseason right shoulder surgery, has been serving as a designated hitter while playing in Minor League Spring Training games over the past three weeks.

McCann is hoping to begin a rehab assignment with Gwinnett or Class A Rome next week. But the Braves have not revealed a definitive schedule. It is also unknown how long McCann's rehab stint might last.

While preparing himself to play in games, McCann experienced right wrist discomfort that has been described as just a minor ailment.