Braves notes: Snitker discusses third base battle; Freddie Freeman expected to return on Monday

There has been chatter in recent days as Johan Camargo and Austin Riley — the two guys battling for the Braves’ third base job — could both make the big league roster in a platoon of sorts. Camargo has the ability to play around the infield in addition to third, and Riley, a third baseman by trade, filed in adequately in left field as a rookie in 2019.

Braves manager Brian Snitker shot this idea down on Sunday morning, saying, “Realistically, can you get both guys (ample playing time)? I don’t think you’ll do them justice.

It’s possible to see a scenario working out if the Braves opted to get rid of an outfielder over the next month (presumably Adam Duvall), but unless that happens it’s not easy to get regular plate appearances for both players. Just 22 years old, it seems silly to not let Riley play every day, whether in Atlanta or Gwinnett.

Another note from camp: Freddie Freeman is expecting to return to the lineup on Monday after missing some time with a sore elbow. Freeman, of course, had offseason surgery and was experiencing some inflammation after overdoing things in the early days of camp. It seemed to be fairly common and the Braves didn’t seem overly concerned, but it is a relief nonetheless to get Freddie back in there.