Freddie Freeman exits after being hit on wrist, to undergo further tests
Manager Brian Snitker said initial X-rays on Freddie Freeman were
With Freddie Freeman hitting at a career-high level, the Braves saw a potential nightmare scenario play out after he was hit on the left hand by a pitch Wednesday vs. the Blue Jays.
In the fifth inning of Atlanta's 8-4 win, Freeman took a 94-mph fastball from Toronto reliever Aaron Loup on what appeared to be the heel of his hand. The first baseman then walked over to assistant trainer Jim Lovell, and after a brief examination, Freeman exited the game.
Manager Brian Snitker told reporters that X-rays on Freeman were "inconclusive" and he'll undergo an MRI and CT scan Thursday.
"We'll know more then," Snitker said. "That's pretty much where it's at. ... There's a hope that he'll be OK."
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The two-time All-Star is hitting .341/.461/.748 with 14 home runs, 11 doubles, a triple and 25 RBI. He is third in the majors with 2.6 WRA and ranks fifth in wRC+ at 204.
The Freeman scare was part of a game in which tempers rose coming off two games in Toronto where the Braves were plunked by Blue Jays pitchers six times, including five on Monday.
An inning and a half after Freeman was hit, the Jays' Kevin Pillar took exception to being quick-pitched by Jason Motte. Pillar swung wildly for the third strike and jawed at he Braves reliever.
Benches cleared but order was quickly restored, then they cleared again in the eighth inning when Jose Bautista -- as he's done before -- stared down Atlanta's Eric O'Flaherty after a bat flip then exchanged words with Braves catcher Kurt Suzuki after crossing home plate.
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Losing Freeman put a sour note on a continued Braves offensive eruption as Suzuki hit a three-run home run in a six-run first inning.
The win was Atlanta's third straight and their fifth in the last six games.
Follow Cory McCartney on Twitter @coryjmccartney and Facebook. His books, 'Tales from the Atlanta Braves Dugout: A Collection of the Greatest Braves Stories Ever Told,' and 'The Heisman Trophy: The Story of an American Icon and Its Winners.' are now available.
