The Braves’ have endured a frustrating run of injuries over the last week. That continued in Friday’s 5-2 win over the Cubs. Outfielder Ender Inciarte and second baseman Ozzie Albies left with injuries.
Inciarte, who assumed a more regular role in center field after Cristian Pache’s injury, suffered a left hamstring injury running from second to third base during Friday’s game against the Cubs. Inciarte singled in the fourth inning and was running the bases following Kyle Wright’s double to right.
Inciarte immediately left the game and was shown being emotional as he went into the tunnel. Veteran Guillermo Heredia, who started Thursday, took Inciarte’s place. It was the second time this week the Braves had a player sustain a hamstring injury while running the bases. The same situation landed starter Max Fried on the injured list a few days ago.
In the ninth inning, Albies was hit in the calf and couldn’t stay in the game. He walked off on his own power and exited into the tunnel. Ehire Adrianza, who started at third base, shifted over to second. Pablo Sandoval took over at third.
The Braves didn’t have an update on either player following the game.
“They’re both being checked right now,” manager Brian Snitker said of Inciarte and Albies. “Ender, I don’t know if it’s the same one, but he (hurt) his hamstring. Ozzie, he’d been hit twice in the calf and fouled one ball off the top of his foot. We’ll know more this evening.”
Pache already is on the injured list with left-groin tightness, which opened the door to more playing time for Inciarte. Starters Fried and Drew Smyly (forearm inflammation) are sidelined. Trustworthy reliever Chris Martin is on the IL (right-shoulder inflammation). Starter Mike Soroka, who’s working his way back from an Achilles tear, was delayed by right-shoulder inflammation.
While none of the injuries appear to be serious at the moment, they’ve become an additional challenge facing the Braves in the early season. The team is 6-8 entering Saturday.
