Andrelton Simmons Injury: Braves SS Has Ankle Sprain

Atlanta Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons could return to the lineup as soon as Friday, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. That's very good news for the Braves, as it was originally thought that Simmons had suffered a high-ankle sprain and might miss significant time. Simmons injured his right ankle attempting to avoid a pickoff attempt at second, just two days after returning from missing two months with a broken pinkie finger.

Simmons slid into second on the pickoff attempt feet first instead of his usual head-first slide, the result of being cautious with his finger. Trainers have told Simmons that they don't mind head-first slides on quick reaction plays like pickoff attempts. He finished Tuesday night's game but sat out on Wednesday. Braves manager Fredi Gonzales is thankful for the luck of a minor injury, saying "We dodged a bullet."

Simmons is batting .298 with 15 RBI through 35 games in the 2012 season.

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