Dan Uggla injury: Braves 2B scratched for precautionary reasons

Dan Uggla has been scratched from Atlanta's starting lineup on Monday for precautionary reasons. Martin Prado will start at second base, while Reed Johnson takes Uggla's spot in the lineup, starting in left field.

Uggla reportedly has swelling in his right hand, and with a postseason berth already secure, the Braves aren't going to push Uggla to play through the injury in the regular season's final three games.

Uggla has struggled this season, hitting just .219/.347/.385 through 520 at bats. To his credit, Uggla has belted 19 home runs and drawn 93 walks, but his home run total will end up being a career-low, as he's never hit less than 27 home runs in any season.

The Braves will hope the swelling subsides later in the week. Atlanta will likely play host to either the St. Louis Cardinals or Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, in baseball's new Wild Card round -- barring a miraculous run to the NL East title.