UPDATED: Atlanta Braves Andrelton Simmons Injured, Leaves Game
By Jeff Schafer
Atlanta Braves shortstop, Andrelton Simmons, has left Tuesday night’s game in Seattle after turning his ankle while running over to cover third base. Simmons was attended to by Braves trainers and then removed from the game. Ramiro Pena replaced Simmons at shortstop.
The 24-year-old is batting a slash line of .249/.298/.341 for the 2014 season. Simmons is one of the best infielders in the game and the Braves captain on the field. He has a .979 fielding percentage this year with 10 errors.
Last season, Andrelton played in 156 games and started 150. So far this year he’s played in 107 games and started 106 of the 113 games.
Simmons injured his shoulder last week on a diving play up the middle. Though it would be awful to lose the young shortstop, this could be a good time to sit him down and get him healthy.
We’ll see how severe this ankle injury soon but we’re all crossing our fingers it’s nothing serious.
UPDATE: Fredi Gonzalez addressed the media after the game on Tuesday saying the injury to Simmons’ ankle wasn’t serious but will probably rest on Wednesday given the day off on Thursday. With two rest days, hopefully Andrelton will be in the lineup Friday.