The Atlanta Braves franchise and its fans can breathe a sigh of relief now that it has been announced Freddie Freeman did not suffer another broken left wrist after being hit by a pitch on Wednesday night.
Per Mark Bowman of MLB.com, A MRI exam performed on Thursday revealed Freddie Freeman did not incur any structural damage when his left wrist was hit by a Hoby Milner pitch during the eighth inning of Wednesday night’s win over the Phillies. The Braves first baseman missed seven weeks when he was hit around the same spot with a pitch last year.
Freddie Freeman has been off to a fast start this season. The Braves are 10-7 and 5-5 in their last 10 games. They are currently second in the National League East division behind the New York Mets.
Freeman was initially worried as he walked from the batter’s box toward the clubhouse, but his concern began to evaporate once X-rays taken on Wednesday night did not reveal a fracture. The MRI exam was scheduled to provide a clearer picture once the swelling reduced.
The Atlanta Braves selected Freeman in the second round, with the 78th overall selection, of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft. Freeman signed with the team for $409,500, foregoing his college scholarship. He was the Braves’ fifth-best prospect heading into the 2009 season, according to Baseball America, and the 11th-best prospect overall in their mid-season top 25.
Freddie Freeman was called up to the Braves on September 1, 2010, as part of the team’s September call-ups, and made his major league debut that same day. On September 5, 2010, he got his first career hit off Florida Marlins pitcher Clay Hensley, and on September 21, 2010, he hit his first home run off of Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay. He played 20 games with the Braves and batted .167. Freeman was not a part of the Braves’ playoff roster.
The Braves haven’t decided whether Freddie Freeman will be in Thursday’s lineup.