Braves Pitcher Injured
Braves Pitcher Martín Pérez Expected to Head to IL Following Forearm Injury Against Mets
Atlanta Braves left-hander Martín Pérez is likely headed to the injured list after taking a line drive off his left forearm during a game against the New York Mets. WTOC reported that Pérez was forced to leave the game after the hit, which came from Mets slugger Juan Soto.
Despite the injury, Pérez had already allowed six hits and five runs in 4.1 innings before leaving the mound. X-rays came back negative, but the team expects him to undergo further tests, according to Atlanta News First.
Juan Soto's Line Drive Ends Pérez's Outing Early
The injury happened when Soto crushed a line drive that struck Pérez directly on his left forearm. Pérez is a left-handed pitcher, making a forearm injury on his throwing arm especially concerning. He was pulled from the game shortly after the incident, WLBT reported.
Pérez had already struggled before the injury struck. He gave up six hits and five runs in just 4.1 innings of work. The Braves lost the game to the Mets, making it a doubly painful day for Atlanta.
Negative X-Rays Offer Little Comfort as Tests Loom
Initial X-rays on Pérez's forearm came back negative, which rules out a bone fracture. However, that does not mean he is in the clear. The Braves plan to run more tests to check for deeper damage, such as muscle or tendon injuries, according to WSMV.
Forearm injuries can be tricky for pitchers. Soft tissue damage — like a strained muscle or a torn tendon — does not show up on X-rays. Those kinds of injuries often require an MRI to find, and they can keep a pitcher sidelined for weeks or even months, Fox Carolina noted.
Braves Expected to Add Reliever If Pérez Hits IL
If Pérez is placed on the injured list, the Braves will need to make a roster move to replace him. The team is expected to call up a reliever to fill the gap, according to WIS TV. That move would give Atlanta an extra arm in the bullpen while Pérez recovers.
Pérez had been working his way back and was seen as part of Atlanta's pitching plans. Losing him — even briefly — hurts a Braves rotation that has already dealt with injury trouble this season, WBTV reported.
Comeback Bid Derailed at the Worst Possible Time
This game was meant to be a step forward for Pérez. Instead, it turned into a setback. He came into the outing trying to prove he could be a reliable piece of the Braves' pitching staff, but the combination of a rough performance and a scary injury made for a rough night, WTOK noted.
The Braves now wait on test results to learn the full extent of the damage. Until those results come back, the team — and Pérez — will be left hoping the injury is minor. A stint on the injured list looks likely no matter what the tests show, according to Live 5 News.
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