Atlanta Braves place catcher Evan Gattis on disabled list

Gattis is off to a strong start in his first... — Gattis is off to a strong start in his first major league season and has shown he can hit for power. He leads the Braves in slugging and is tied for the team lead in homers. Credit: AP

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSJune 18, 2013

ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Braves have placed catcher Evan Gattis on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right oblique.

The Braves announced the move before Tuesday's doubleheader against the New York Mets. Infielder Tyler Pastornicky was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett.

Gattis injured himself on his final at-bat of a 2-1 victory over the Mets on Monday night. Brian McCann was on deck to pinch hit when Freddie Freeman hit a two-run homer to win the game in the ninth inning.

The 26-year-old Gattis has been one of baseball's most surprising players. He earned a backup job in spring training as a non-roster player and quickly increased his role with a penchant for dramatic homers.

He is second on the Braves in homers (14) and RBIs (37) while batting .252.