Johnson (hand) will play in an extended spring training game Saturday, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Assuming all goes well Saturday, Johnson will join the Braves in Atlanta on Sunday to take batting practice before heading out for a brief minor league rehab assignment. The club is targeting Thursday's series opener in Los Angeles for Johnson's major league return.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Chris Johnson will play in an extended spring training game Saturday while recovering from a hand injury, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Chris Johnson will play in an extended spring training game Saturday while recovering from a hand injury, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Johnson be activated Thursday to play against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Johnson (hand) is on track to be activated in advance of next Thursday's game according to manager Fredi Gonzalez, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Johnson was initially expected to miss 3-to-6 weeks after suffering a left hand fracture in the end of April, so a May 28 return would put him in the earlier portion of that timetable. Alberto Callaspo has seen most of the work at third base in his absence, but Johnson figures to slot back into an everyday role once he's healthy.

Johnson (hand) has been cleared to begin more extensive activities, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

It's not entirely clear what all Johnson has been cleared for, but it seems he may be nearly without restriction. The report notes that Johnson could be ready to return as soon as Monday against Los Angeles in the opener of a 10-game road trip for Atlanta. Alberto Callaspo and Pedro Ciriaco will see most of the work at third base until Johnson is ready to return.

Johnson (hand) is expected to miss 3-to-6 weeks, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Evidently, the fracture that was discovered in Johnson's hand after Thursday's game was an old injury, and he merely suffered a bone bruise on his slide into second base. Johnson will be re-evaluated in two weeks, and it sounds like he could return before the end of May, but the Braves will be forced to lean on Alberto Callaspo and Kelly Johnson at third base in the meantime.

Johnson left Thursday's game early due to a left hand fracture and has been placed on the 15-day DL.

Johnson's injury will likely keep him out for an extended period of time. His injury will likely lead to an everyday role for Alberto Callaspo. Mike Foltynewicz was scheduled to be recalled Friday anyway, so a spot on the 25-man roster is now open for him.

Johnson is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Nationals.

Johnson will remain out of the lineup for the second straight game after he sat out Sunday in favor of Kelly Johnson. It's Alberto Callaspo who will start at third Monday, while Kelly Johnson shifts to left field. Chris Johnson has 11 hits in 35 at-bats, but his playing time has grown rather sporadic of late.

Johnson is out of the lineup Sunday against the Phillies, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Despite upholding a .314 average for the season, Johnson's playing time has begun to grow increasingly irregular, as he'll sit out for a fourth time in five games Sunday. Kelly Johnson will cover third base in the series finale.

Johnson is out of the lineup Saturday.

Johnson has been pretty productive so far this season, and given how weak the Braves' collection of third-base options are, it is a little puzzling that he will be sitting for the second time in three games. Kelly Johnson will get the start at third base Saturday.

Johnson is out of the lineup Thursday.

He has hit the ball hard in the early going, slashing .300/.371/.433 with four doubles in 30 at-bats. Unfortunately he has not been used as a true everyday player thus far, which makes it difficult to use him in shallower weekly leagues. With a righty on the mound Thursday, Alberto Callaspo, a switch hitter, will get the start at third.

Johnson is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Mets, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Johnson will sit in favor of Alberto Callaspo at third base after starting four straight and six of the team's last seven games. The 30-year-old Johnson started just two of the team's first six games. While Johnson appears in line for fairly regular playing time, manager Fredi Gonzalez will continue to employ a soft platoon at the hot corner.

Johnson is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins.

Johnson and Alberto Callaspo have split the third-base duties early this season, but neither of them will start there Wednesday with Phil Gosselin getting the nod. Expect the time share at third base to continue.

Johnson is not in the lineup Saturday against the Mets, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Manager Fredi Gonzalez will turn to switch-hitter Alberto Callaspo to man third base Saturday, which makes sense given Johnson's 3-for-15 career mark against right-hander Dillon Gee. The third-base situation in Atlanta is being labeled as a "soft platoon," meaning Johnson will start against lefties and some, but not all, right-handers.

Johnson is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins, according to David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Johnson went 2-for-5 with two RBI in Tuesday's game, but he will sit out for the second time in three days with the Braves using a soft platoon at third base. Johnson's platoon-mate Alberto Callaspo will man the hot corner Tuesday for the Braves.

Johnson is in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Marlins.

Johnson didn't hide his displeasure with being left out of the Opening Day lineup, telling the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that it was "discouraging" and that "if the manager thinks that there's somebody better than me to play today, that's his opinion and that's what the lineup will show." Fredi Gonzalez stressed afterward that it's still a "soft platoon" at third base, with Alberto Callaspo only seeing some of the starts against right-handed pitching. Right-hander Mat Latos is on the bump for Miami on Tuesday.

Johnson is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Marlins.

Switch-hitter Alberto Callaspo will draw the start at third base and bat seventh against right-hander Henderson Alvarez. Manager Fredi Gonzalez stressed just recently that Johnson would not be deployed in a strict platoon at third base, but it appears as though Callaspo will indeed steal time against especially tough right-handers.

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said Thursday that he will not employ a strict platoon at third base at the start of the season, MLB.com reports. "You pick your spots with kind of like soft platoons," Gonzalez said. "You pick your best eight [position players] every single day. Some days, you go with a matchup. Sometimes you feel that even though he's right-handed [and you're facing a right-hander], if you feel like he can give you some good at-bats, you go with it. For me, it's not a strict platoon situation. We'll play it by ear."

A year after finishing as the runner-up for the NL batting title on the strength of a .300 average against right-handed pitching (384 at-bats), Johnson posted just a .263 overall average in 2014, with his mark against right-handers falling all the way down to .231 (468 at-bats). Johnson has adjusted his batting stance this spring, lowering his hands a bit, and he's seen results so far. Johnson has five hits, including a homer, in his last six Grapefruit League at-bats. While Johnson will be the primary option at third, he will likely sit against especially tough right-handers, opening the door for Alberto Callaspo or perhaps Kelly Johnson to see some opportunities.

Johnson (wrist) is expected to return to the lineup for Wednesday's Grapefruit League game, MLB.com's Mark Bowman reports.

He has been ailing with a sore left wrist, but it does not sound major and he should get plenty of at-bats this spring in order to be ready for Opening Day.

Johnson is dealing with some left wrist soreness and was scratched from Saturday's Grapefruit League game, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Johnson was feeling a little fatigued after getting in some extra hitting during Friday's off day, so the Braves will let him rest Saturday with the hope that the issue subsides. He could return to the Braves' lineup as soon as Sunday.

Johnson's teammate, Alberto Callaspo, is expected to see time at third base during spring training, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

It was generally assumed that Callaspo was brought in to fill the team's hole at second base, but it's now sounding like he could work himself into some sort of timeshare at the hot corner with Johnson. The 30-year-old Johnson posted a dismal .231/.256/.314 batting line against right-handed pitching last season, though the switch-hitting Callapso wasn't much better at .238/.303/.313. Callaspo may still see some time at the keystone, but the possibility of him playing at third base hurts what marginal appeal Johnson had in NL-only formats.