At this point, I’m at a loss for words, just like many Braves fans. It feels like every day brings a new injury concern for the Braves, and often, they’re serious issues.
The latest setback involves Whit Merrifield, who had to leave Friday’s game after fouling a ball off his foot. This follows a recent incident where he was hit in the head with a pitch. While he managed to return to the game that night, further tests revealed a broken foot.
Initially, it seemed Merrifield might be sidelined for the rest of the season, expected to be out six to eight weeks. However, there’s been a stroke of luck. Braves manager Brian Snitker told MLB.com’s Mark Bowman on Friday that Merrifield received encouraging news from a specialist, who confirmed that continuing to play wouldn’t worsen the injury.
For Merrifield, it now comes down to managing pain. Known for his toughness, he might be able to return as soon as next weekend for the Dodgers series. Since joining the Braves, Merrifield hasn’t been an All-Star, but his .359 OBP has been a welcome boost for a team struggling with offensive consistency.
If Merrifield can’t play, Luke Williams is the immediate option off the bench, and there might be a chance for Nacho Alvarez to step up. The Braves also acquired Cavan Biggio from the Giants, as reported by Gabe Burns of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. None of these options are particularly inspiring, and it’s another tough blow for a team that can’t seem to catch a break.
Despite these challenges, the Braves have persevered this long and will likely adopt a next-man-up mentality if Merrifield can’t go. It’s also uncertain if Ozzie Albies will return this season, as the latest injury update casts doubt on his availability.
Leave a Reply