Bethancourt (mouth) is back in the lineup for Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.

Two days after having his wisdom teeth removed, Bethancourt is set to catch and bat seventh against Baltimore. Bethancourt hit his first home run of the spring Monday, raising his average to .306 (11-for-36) and his slugging percentage to .556, but he has yet to draw a walk and has struck out seven times. He may have the slight edge over A.J. Pierzynski, but manager Fredi Gonzalez still has not named a starter just days out from the start of the regular season.

Bethancourt hit his first home run of the spring Monday, going 1-for-3 in the Braves' 4-2 win over Detroit.

The 23-year-old Bethancourt missed more than a week while battling the flu, and went just 1-for-8 in his first three games back, so it's good to see him get ahold of one. Overall this spring, Bethancourt is batting .306 (11-for-36) with six doubles and seven RBI, but he's yet to draw a walk and has struck out seven times. Meanwhile, A.J. Pierzynski is batting .344 (11-for-32) with just one extra-base hit but four walks against one strikeout. Manager Fredi Gonzalez hasn't tipped his hand as to how the playing time will shake out during the regular season, but with the Braves in rebuild mode, they may be inclined to give the rookie close to everyday reps.

Bethancourt (illness) returned to the clubhouse Tuesday, MLB.com's Mark Bowman reports.

A bout with the flu has kept him sidelined since Thursday, and while it is not clear when he will return to the lineup, the fact that he is back with the team suggests he could be back in the mix sometime this week. While Bethancourt's defense, particularly his arm, is legendary, his bat lags behind, and he should only be a target in deeper formats until he can prove to have made strides offensively.

Bethancourt (illness) was scratched from Friday's game, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Bethancourt did not play Thursday and still had a fever Friday, so he did not make the trip with the team. He isn't expected to miss more than a few days and could play in a split-squad game Saturday, though it's not likely.

Bethancourt was scratched from Thursday's lineup due to flu-like symptoms, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Bethancourt could miss a day or two with the ailment, but it's not something that should carry into regular season play.

Bethancourt said he is OK after taking a batted ball to the knee and leaving Thursday's Grapefruit League game, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. "It's just a hit," Bethancourt said. "It's just spring training. You don't want anything to get worse. I'm OK. I didn't want to come out after I got hit. They took me out for protection. It does hurt. It's part of the game. I'm a catcher. I'm used to getting hit all the time."

Bethancourt wasn't immediately forced from the game after taking the batted ball to his knee. In fact, he doubled in the next half inning before being lifted for a pinch runner. It sounds like his removal was strictly for precautionary reasons, and while Bethancourt will sit Friday, manager Fredi Gonzalez said he hadn't planned to play the 23-year-old anyway in the day game following a night game. Bethancourt is battling veteran A.J. Pierzynski for playing time this spring.

Braves president of baseball operations said Monday that there is "definitely a possibility" Evan Gattis could move to left field next season, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The Braves have a need in the outfield with Jason Heyward dealt to the Cardinals, one which Gattis figures to fill, with Justin Upton possibly moving to right. That would likely open up playing time for the 23-year-old Bethancourt behind the plate. While Bethancourt hit .283 over 365 plate appearances at Triple-A Gwinnett last season, he drew just 13 walks with the affiliate and struggled mightily in 31 games at the major league level (55 OPS+). He is very skilled defensively, however, and the Braves may not have a choice but to let him learn on the job.

Bethancourt is not in the lineup Thursday against the Pirates.

Bethancourt has started 13 of the Braves' last 14 games, but he'll head to the bench Thursday with Evan Gattis (illness) slated to return from an extended absence. Gattis is only expected to play about five innings, so Bethancourt could end up catching a few frames, and he should get at least one more start before the end of the season. He's batting .264/.278/.302 with six RBI so far this month.

Bethancourt will join the Braves on Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

During a brief audition with the big club earlier this season, Bethancourt went 12-for-50 (.240 average) with one extra-base hit in 13 games. In 90 games with Triple-A Gwinnett, Bethancourt hit .287 with eight homers and 48 RBI, and while he drew just 13 walks in 360 plate appearances, his arm strength and plus athleticism behind the plate should be enough to earn him an everyday job at the major league level in future years. Evan Gattis should continue serving as the primary option behind the plate over the remainder of this season.

Bethancourt, 22, is batting .273/.296/.404 with eight home runs, 45 RBI and five steals through 86 games for Triple-A Gwinnett.

Bethancourt played in 13 games for the big club earlier this season, hitting .240 with three RBI. He could be a September call-up when rosters expand.

Braves optioned C Christian Bethancourt to Triple-A Gwinnett.

Evan Gattis is off the disabled list, so Bethancourt will go back to the farm to get regular playing time. The 22-year-old catcher batted just .240/.283/.260 across 53 plate appearances with the Braves.

Braves recalled C Christian Bethancourt from Triple-A Gwinnett.

Bethancourt was batting just .273/.304/.372 through 63 games this season at the Triple-A level. He's a highly-regarded catching prospect but it's not clear yet how long the 22-year-old is going to be up in the majors.

Braves catching prospect Christian Bethancourt went 2-for-3 with a double and a walk for Triple-A Gwinnett.

There was talk of Bethancourt's being promoted, but Evan Gattis' hot hitting in June (.363/.414/.650 with five doubles and six home runs) has kept Bethancourt in Triple-A for the time being. Bethancourt has been hot as of late, hitting .305/.333/.407 over his last 33 games, bringing his season line up to .270/.299/.372.

According to MLB.com's Mark Bowman, the Braves are considering calling up Christian Bethancourt.

Bethancourt has been hot in June at Triple-A Gwinnett after a sluggish first few months and could take over as the Braves' starting catcher with Evan Gattis shifting to left field. Justin Upton would play right, Jason Heyward would play center, and B.J. Upton would move to the bench. It's a move that might hurt Atlanta defensively (Gattis is not a steady outfielder) but could spark the offense. B.J. Upton has hit .194/.274/.312 in a Braves uniform.

Braves catching prospect Christian Bethancourt went 3-for-5 for Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday, raising his season line to .271/.300/.372.

Bethancourt is in the midst of a 10 game hitting streak during which he is hitting .395/.400/.474 with three doubles. He is a strong defensive catcher and is already on the 40-man roster, so he could replace Gerald Laird as the Braves backup catcher.

Braves prospect C Christian Bethancourt stayed hot Sunday, going 3-for-4 with a double, home run and three RBI for Triple-A Gwinnett.

The home run was Bethancourt's first of the season, and he's now batting .253/.300/.347 through 20 games. The 22-year-old, who is regarded as one of the better defensive catchers in the minor leagues, got off to a slow start with a .211 batting average through Gwinnett's first 10 games. He's picked up the pace since then, with an .809 OPS in his last 10 contests, and he enters the week riding a four-game hitting streak. Given his defensive prowess and spot on the 40-man roster, Bethancourt will return to the major leagues at some point this season and serve as the Braves' backup or third-string catcher.

Braves prospect catcher Christian Bethancourt went 2-for-4 for Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday, raising his season line to .214/.214/.214.

Defensively, Bethancourt is ready to start in Atlanta. However, with just six singles and zero walks in 28 plate appearances to go with nine strikeouts, the Braves are likely making a good long-term move by giving Bethancourt more time in the minor leagues.

Braves recalled C Christian Bethancourt from Double-A Mississippi.

Bethancourt probably won't play much down the stretch this season, but he could be the Braves' Opening Day catcher next spring if impending free agent Brian McCann is not re-signed. The 22-year-old hit .277/.305/.436 with 12 homers and 45 RBI in 90 games this summer at Double-A.

Braves prospect catcher Christian Bethancourt is 6-for-8 with three home runs and four RBI over his last two games for Double-A Mississippi.

After going 4-for-4 with two home runs on Sunday, the 21-year-old was back at it on Tuesday with another home run as part of a 2-for-4 performance. Widely regarded as one of the top defensive catchers in the minor leagues, Bethancourt posted a dismal .566 OPS in 71 games last year before suffering a broken hand in August that prematurely ended his season. However, his bat has come alive (finally) this year after revamping his swing during the offseason. Overall, Bethancourt has batted .291/.318/.462 with 18 doubles, 11 home runs and a 48/14 K/BB ratio in 76 games. Considering that he's already on the Braves' 40-man roster, it wouldn't come as a surprise if the catcher receives a brief taste of the major leagues in September.

Braves optioned C Christian Bethancourt to Double-A Mississippi.

The 21-year-old catcher hit just .243/.275/.291 in 71 games last year at the Double-A level. He will only reach the majors in 2013 in the event of an emergency.