The Braves optioned struggling center fielder Nate McLouth to Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.
General manager Frank Wren told AJC reporter Carroll Rogers that the club has activated Brent Clevlen from his rehabilitation assignment with Gwinnett.
Clevlen was expected to arrive at 8:15 tonight in the middle of the opener of the Nationals series. Center fielder Gregor Blanco, who was sent to Gwinnett recently after batting .310 in 58 at-bats this season, has not been down the requisite 10 days. Blanco will be eligible to be recalled in four days, but Wren said the Braves haven’t decided the next move for Blanco.
McLouth, who was injured in a collision with right fielder Jason Heyward in early June, has continued to struggle at the plate since his return to the lineup.
Braves manager Bobby Cox held struggling McLouth out of the starting lineup for Sunday’s game before using him as a late replacement. He has failed to produce in his return from the disabled list and done little to show the Braves that he’s the answer for center field down the stretch. They have been keeping a close eye on McLouth as the July 31 trading deadline approaches.
McLouth went 1-for-15 in his first five games back from the disabled list (concussion). His sole hit was a broken-bat single on Wednesday against the Padres. He was 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position in the Florida series, including a groundout with the bases loaded in the eighth inning on Saturday night and a game-ending double play in the 11th on Sunday. He’s hitting only .168 this season.
