ATLANTA — Middle fielder Michael Harris II left the Braves’ 7-3 win over the Rays on Friday evening within the first inning with left hamstring tightness and was positioned on the 10-day injured listing on Saturday.
After hitting a leadoff single, the 2022 Nationwide League Rookie of the Yr took third on Ozzie Albies’ double however grimaced as he neared the bag. He doubled over in ache earlier than assembly with the athletic coach and exiting the sport.
J.P. Martínez pinch-ran for Harris and got here round to attain 4 pitches in a while a Marcell Ozuna homer. Martínez stayed within the recreation and took over for Harris in heart discipline, going 1-for-4 with the one run scored.
Harris underwent an MRI on Saturday, and his timetable can be higher understood when the Braves obtain the outcomes.
“It’s powerful,” third baseman Austin Riley stated. “What [Harris] does on the market in heart and, clearly, in our lineup, you hate that. You actually do. Looks as if we’ve been sort of snakebit on accidents this yr. However it’s going to be a ‘subsequent man up’ mentality, however I’m certain whoever steps in will just do positive.”
The damage to Harris is one other important blow for the Braves after dropping reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. for the season as a consequence of a torn left ACL. Harris had taken over the leadoff spot in opposition to righties following Acuña’s damage.
Changing Harris’ protection in heart discipline may very well be a problem, as he was the one Braves participant to man the place this season earlier than his damage. Outfielder Ramón Laureano was chosen from Triple-A Gwinnett and added to the 40-man roster instead of Harris, however Jarred Kelenic performed heart and batted leadoff on Saturday. To fill the leadoff spot, the Braves might additionally flip again to Albies, who has been atop the order in six of his previous 18 begins.
Regardless, it’s powerful information for a crew that was beginning to hit its stride offensively with 5 or extra runs scored in consecutive video games for the primary time since April 19-20.
