Dave

Nilsson

Nilsson is hitting .236/.323/.309 in 16 games since joining Richmond last month.

Just in case you were wondering whether Nilsson might be an option at first base for the Braves.

“I’ve had a good rest, I’ve been back home, I’ve got some things out of my system I wanted to do,” said Nilsson, 35. “It could be for a year, it could be five years. I feel refreshed in a lot of ways, I feel sharp in a lot of ways, you don’t feel behind. I’m as prepared as I can be - I don’t think the four-year layoff is going to affect my performance.”

A little revenge perhaps? Nilsson had an apparent deal with Boston in 2001, but the Red Sox backed out, claiming he failed his physical. ``He said his heart’s not in it, so it’s best to do it now instead of coming over,’' said Red Sox special assistant to the GM Craig Shipley. ``Plain and simple, he lost his desire to play.’' If the Red Sox are able to land Kevin Millar, it’s unlikely that Nilsson would have made the team.

The 33-year-old Nilsson signed with the Red Sox in January, but he told the team last month he was retiring because he lost the will to play. Nilsson said he still might play for Australia at next year’s Olympics.

Nilsson retired last year, but he’s attempting another comeback as a 34-year-old. The Braves probably won’t call him up unless they lose a first baseman.

It looks like he is through attempting comebacks. Nilsson, who turned 36 this month, played for Triple-A Richmond and for Australia in the Olympics in 2004. He last played in the majors in 1999 and hit .284/.356/.461 in eight seasons with Milwaukee.