Jordan Schafer Removed With Injury

Sep 3, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves pinch hitter Jordan Schafer (17) reacts after being hit with a foul ball against the New York Mets during the seventh inning at Turner Field. The Braves defeated the Mets 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Braves outfielder Jordan Schafer was scratched from the lineup on Wednesday morning because of a left quadriceps contusion.  Jordan was scheduled to start in centerfield against the Mets during their afternoon matchup but was replaced by B.J. Upton.

This was probably a precautionary substitution as Schafer fouled a pitch off his left leg in the bottom of the 7th inning of Tuesday’s game.  He was in obvious pain after the ball struck him and probably woke up a little sore.

Schafer has been trying to recover from a lower back strain that he’s been dealing with since last week and now this.  He was initially given Tuesday off to help recover but entered in the seventh as a pinch-hitter for Braves starting pitcher Kris Medlen.  After he hit a foul ball off his leg just above the knee, he stepped out of the batter’s box and required several moments to collect himself.   He then resumed his at-bat, which concluded with a groundout to shortstop.  Schafer was in an obviously hobbling as he ran down the first-base line, but he did remain in the game to play right field and finished out the victory without further incident.

In his past eight starts, Schafer has hit .324 with four RBIs from the Braves leadoff position.  Also, he has seven stolen bases over that span, pushing his total to 20 for the season.

It’s actually unknown whether Schafer had a big blowout party for his 27th birthday, as it was Wednesday, (just joking) but never less from the game today they need him in the lineup.

The quad injury doesn’t sound like the Braves considered it serious, but he couldn’t run comfortable when he tested it Wednesday morning, reported David O’Brien.  He could be ready to play after the Braves’ off day Thursday.  The Braves start a seven-game trip Friday to Philadelphia and then a four-game series at Miami next week.