Braves Make Lineup Change Moments Before Rays Game

Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Braves Make Lineup Change Moments Before Rays Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Miracle Dimwesh | Last updated Sep 10, 2026 1:22 PM ET

The Atlanta Braves made a late change to their starting lineup Thursday after Lane Thomas was scratched moments before the series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Thomas was originally set to start in left field and bat sixth at Truist Park. He was removed from the lineup after experiencing left side tightness during pregame warmups.

Brewer Hicklen moved from designated hitter to left field, while Dominic Smith took over as the designated hitter. The late change was first reported by Atlanta Journal-Constitution beat writer Chad Bishop on X.

Hicklen now playing left field, Dominic Smith now in at DH; Thomas scratched with “left side tightness” https://t.co/QB0M5fkSim
— Chad Bishop (@MrChadBishop) September 10, 2026

Thomas is considered day-to-day with left side soreness. He has struggled since joining Atlanta, batting .171 with one home run through his first 21 games with the Braves.

The Braves will now turn to Hicklen in left field as they try to close out the series against Tampa Bay. Hicklen has hit well in limited action this season, batting .364 with a .500 on-base percentage across 12 games.

Smith will provide the Braves with a veteran option at designated hitter. The 31-year-old has appeared in 102 games this season, hitting .258 with eight home runs and 44 RBIs.

Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss (22)David Butler II-Imagn Images

The lineup change comes with Atlanta trying to avoid a sweep after dropping the first two games of the series. The Braves entered Thursday with an 85-61 record and a three-game losing streak.

Atlanta will need its remaining lineup to pick up the slack with Thomas unavailable, particularly against a Rays team that has outscored the Braves 14-3 through the first two games of the series.

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This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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