Mallex Smith is currently playing in Puerto Rico after missing the season half of the 2016 season with a fractured thumb.

With Matt Kemp, Ender Inciarte and Nick Markakis set to start for the Atlanta Braves, Smith could either serve as a backup at the major league level or an everyday player for Triple-A Gwinnett.

"[Smith] is a talented player, but he still needs more development," John Hart said. "At the same point, Mallex is interesting because he can do a lot of things for you. He can [play] all three outfield positions and he can run. But the question we are asking ourselves is, 'Are we doing him a disservice and ultimately ourselves a disservice by making him a role or bench player?'"