David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Braves have "discussed to varying degrees" Michael Bourn, B.J. Upton and Marlon Byrd. Bourn's and Upton's names have been on the trade block, but we've heard very little about Byrd. The Byrd acquisition would make sense, though, as the Braves are looking for a right-handed hitting outfielder but showed in the Hunter Pence talks that they don't want to give up a whole lot. Byrd is batting .318/.370/.494 since coming back from his facial fractures and sports a nice .311/.354/.444 line for the season.

Marlon Byrd homered Thursday for the first time since being activated from the disabled list. The solo shot was his only hit in four trips to the plate, but it's good to see him show some extra-base pop. Byrd has hit .270 with three RBI in 10 games since coming off the DL and now is batting .301 for the season.

Cubs activated OF Marlon Byrd from the 15-day disabled list. He's in Saturday's lineup, hitting sixth and playing center field. Byrd has been sidelined since late May, when he took an Alfredo Aceves pitch off the face, which resulted in multiple fractures. He's expected to wear a protective mask for the remainder of the season.

Marlon Byrd (facial fractures) rejoined the Cubs Saturday and appears likely to be activated from the disabled list. "The indications are he's really swinging the bat well and looks good at Iowa so not only is he healthy . but people are commenting on the quality of his at-bats and his performance and you think, 'OK, he's ready to contribute right away,'" manager Mike Quade said Friday. Byrd has been out since May 21, when he was hit in the face by an Alfredo Aceves pitch.

Marlon Byrd (facial fractures) could rejoin the Cubs this weekend. We originally heard that he was likely to be activated before the Cubs' road trip beginning on Monday, but apparently it could be sooner. Byrd will play for Triple-A Iowa Friday before being reevaluated. He's been out since mid-May.

Marlon Byrd (facial fractures) will play at least one more rehab game for Triple-A Iowa. Byrd is expected to join the Cubs for their road trip Monday to close out the first half, but he'll remain at Iowa Friday and possibly Saturday. He's 4-for-11 with a home run and a stolen base in three rehab games with Iowa so far. Byrd has been sidelined since taking an Alfredo Aceves fastball to the left eye socket in mid-May.

Marlon Byrd (face) went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored Monday at Triple-A Iowa. It was Byrd's first rehab game and the first time he had donned his new jaw-protecting helmet in a live setting. The Cubs don't have a timetable yet for his return to the major leagues. "If he needs a longer stint because of how long he's been away, I don't know," manager Mike Quade said Monday. "If he has three or four [good] games and says he's ready to go, who knows?"

Marlon Byrd (facial fractures) will begin a rehab assignment Monday with Triple-A Iowa. Byrd has been out for more than a month after being beaned by an Alfredo Aceves fastball to the left eye socket. He's expected to need a lengthy rehab assignment, so we'll probably see him back sometime around the All-Star break.

Marlon Byrd (facial fractures) is likely to require a lengthy minor league rehab assignment. The Cubs want to be completely sure that his facial fractures are healed before activating him from the 15-day disabled list, which could mean asking the veteran outfielder to spend over a week in the minors. Byrd has been sidelined since taking an Alfredo Aceves fastball to the left eye socket in mid-May.

Marlon Byrd (facial fractures) told reporters that he is one week from beginning a rehab assignment. Byrd began a running program this weekend and will ramp up his rehab over the next several days before heading to Triple-A Iowa. "I'll get full sprints in in Kansas City probably Friday, Saturday and Sunday," the outfielder said. "Then I'll fly back here and on Monday morning head out to Des Moines." He's hoping to make an early-July return to the major leagues.