Braves’ Whit Merrifield returns, then exits early after fouling ball off foot

After the top of the sixth inning on Friday, Whit Merrifield went into the Braves’ dugout. Third base coach Matt Tuiasosopo flagged manager Brian Snitker, who went over to Merrifield.

“This thing’s killing me,” Merrifield said of his left foot.

During a fifth-inning at-bat, Merrifield fouled a ball off that foot. He stayed in for the sixth, but Luke Williams replaced him at second base in the top of the seventh inning.

After the Braves beat the Blue Jays, 3-1, at Truist Park, Snitker said the X-rays on Merrifield’s foot were negative. But when Snitker spoke with reporters, the Braves were still awaiting results on a CT scan.

“He was pretty sore when he came off the field after that inning and we took him out,” Snitker said. “The feet are just like the hands with all those little bones and everything, so until they get that (CT scan) test back, we won’t know.”

This is normal procedure for the Braves. Sometimes, a CT scan is needed to confirm what is or is not there.

But this is a brutal occurrence for Merrifield, who returned to the lineup on Friday after missing two games while recovering from being hit on the head by a pitch. He didn’t make it five full innings before fouling the ball off his foot.

This is how things have gone for the Braves in 2024. The next injury scare is only a game or two away.

The Braves are expected to have an update on Merrifield on Saturday. The team will hope for good news as, at this point, it seems Ozzie Albies’ return from a fractured left wrist isn’t imminent.

Before Friday’s game, Snitker said Albies is still not feeling great when swinging from the left side.

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