Rehab stint likely to get Wilson at-bats

Vivlamore reporting from Turner Field.

Infielder Jack Wilson said he will start a minor-league rehab assignment once his dislocated finger allows. Wilson was put on the 15-day disabled list after Saturday’s game, one day after dislocating the middle joint of the small finger on his right hand in the fifth inning of a start at shortstop.

Although the Braves did not think a DL stint was likely immediately following the injury, the move was made after shortstop Paul Janish was obtained in a trade with the Reds Saturday afternoon.

“They were trying to make a trade for a guy like Paul before this happened,” Wilson said. “You saw it coming.”

The Braves didn’t want to play short-handed by sending Tyler Pastornicky back down to Triple-A while Wilson heals. Pastornicky entered Saturday’s game in a bunting situation after Wilson told manager Fredi Gonzalez he was ready to bat just a day after the injury.

“It was a situation where it might have been two or three more days,” Gonzalez said. “We’ve got Tyler here and [we’ll] give him an opportunity to play that super-utility guy, can give us a pinch-hit and let Jack heal on his own. Don’t put any pressure on him to get in there sooner.”

Wilson said he welcomes a chance to get some needed at-bats and playing time.

“Once it heals up, I will go rehab, get some at-bats and hopefully figure it out in a non-stressful situation,” Wilson said. “As soon as they say you can start playing, I’m going to get out of here because the bottom line is when I come back I want to be able to help.”

- Chris Vivlamore