Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski was given a day off on Thursday, after catching the previous three games. Pierzynski has been hot at the plate lately, batting .455 (10 for 22) with nine RBI in his last six games.
Christian Bethancourt got the start behind the dish for the Braves, and left fielder Kelly Johnson was inserted into the cleanup spot in the lineup against the Reds on Thursday, the team announced.