Braves Infielder Appears to Avoid Injury After Being Hit By Pitch

The Atlanta Braves continue to avoid serious injuries this spring training. 

After getting a bit of a scare with Ronald Acuña Jr's knee soreness but it eventually being diagnosed as only an irritated mensicus, the Braves have somehow dodged another injury. 

Starting shortstop Orlando Arcia, who left Sunday's game after being hit on the hand by a 96-mph fastball from Boston Red Sox reliever Chase Shugart, has cleared all medical testing and is day-to-day.

Arcia, who was immediately pinch-ran for after being awarded first base, had both X-rays and a MRI come back negative, indicating no fracture was seen on the scans. 

It's worth noting that Arcia missed twenty-three days last season with a microfracture of the wrist that came on a fastball from Cincinnati Reds pitcher Hunter Greene. Arcia initially had x-rays come back negative, but after reporting discomfort in the wrist the next day, subsequent testing revealed the break and he was placed on the IL. 

Last season, the primary injury fill-ins for Arcia were Vaughn Grissom and Braden Shewmake, both of whom are now with other organizations, being traded in the offseason. If Arcia were to miss extended time in 2024, the belief is that Atlanta would promote David Fletcher from AAA Gwinnett to the 40-man roster and let him play shortstop every day. Luis Guillorme is going to make the Opening Day roster but is seen as a "rest-of-game" replacement at shortstop versus manning the position for an extended absence. 

The Braves are off on Tuesday before resuming Grapefruit League action on Wednesday with a home game against the Toronto Blue Jays.