Atlanta Braves Freddie Freeman exits game after being hit by pitch

Braves Freeman exits game after being hit in hand

The worst headline I’ve typed since Chipper Jones announced his retirement.  Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman exited Wednesday night’s game after being struck in his left wrist by a pitch.

Toronto Blue Jays left-handed relief pitcher Aaron Loup tried to go inside on a 0-1 pitch to Freeman and it just went a little too far inside.  This pitch came right after Brandon Phillips hit a double off Loup.  Was it intentional?  I hardly doubt it.  I think the pitch just got away from Loup.

Let’s paint the picture for you if you didn’t get the chance to see it.

The Braves were up 6-3 in the bottom of the 5th inning with Phillips on second, one out and Freeman up to bat.  Loup throws a 94mph fastball inside and it catches Freddie right on the left hand.

When you watch the slow motion video of this, you’ll see it hits Freeman in the area right between his hand and his wrist.  The spot you never want to get hit in.

Once Freeman gets hit, you’ll hear in the video around the one minute mark him, he let out a big yell in pain.  Obviously, the look on Freeman’s face when he’s talking with the trainers isn’t good either.

At the time this happened, I was listening on the radio with Don Sutton and Jim Powell.  They described it as “not good” and that the stadium was extremely quiet.

The 27-year-old exited the game immediately and Johan Camargo came in to pitch-run.  Camargo went to third base and Jace Peterson moved to first.

If Freeman has to miss any time, the Braves and Brian Snitker will have some questions to answer.  We really don’t have a replacement at first base, either on our bench or in Gwinnett.  Matt Tuiasosopo, Kyle Kubitza and Blake Lalli could be options at first, but neither are hitting well in Triple-A.  Could Nick Markakis slide into the first base duties?  Maybe.  He played there a couple games with Baltimore.

Next: Braves put 3B Garcia on DL... who replaces him?

Once we hear more about the extent of his injury, we’ll be updating.  For now, let’s hope the x-rays come back negative and Freddie is day-to-day.

UPDATE: Freeman’s Wednesday night x-rays were “inconclusive,” says Brian Snitker