CHARLES ODUM
AP Sports Writer

ATLANTA (AP) — The Braves will lose power-hitting catcher Evan Gattis for at least two weeks after an MRI revealed a bulging thoracic disk.

Gattis is scheduled to receive an epidural and will be placed on the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday. The Braves provided no additional information on the severity of the injury Monday night.

Gattis is hitting .290 with 16 homers and 39 RBIs in his first season as the Braves’ primary catcher. He played behind Brian McCann as a rookie in 2013.

Gattis missed his fourth straight game Monday night with what the team had called back spasms.

Rookie Christian Bethancourt made his first home start on Tuesday night against the Mets and is expected to share time with veteran Gerald Laird at catcher while Gattis is out.

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