Braves leadoff hitter Michael Harris II went to IL with hamstring injury

Associated Press

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta leadoff hitter and outfielder Michael Harris II will be placed on the 10-day injured list after leaving the Braves’ game against the Tampa Bay Rays Friday night with left hamstring tightness.

Harris led off the first inning with a single from right-hander Zack Littell. When Ozzie Albies followed with a double down the right field line, Harris advanced to third but showed discomfort and stopped before reaching third base.

Braves manager Brian Snitker and assistant coach Jeff Stevenson visited Harris at third base and made the quick decision to remove him from the game. JP Martínez came in as a pinch runner for Harris and replacement in center field.

Snitker said Harris will undergo imaging tests Saturday but will be permanently placed on IL.

“He said he felt something,” Snitker said. “It’s usually not good.”

Martínez could be part of the team’s answer in the center of the field.

“Someone is going to have an opportunity to do something good,” Snitker said. “We will decide tonight who it will be.”

Martínez scored on Marcell Ozuna’s three-run homer during the Braves’ five-run inning.

The Braves lost right fielder and reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. to a season-ending knee injury on May 26. Acuña underwent surgery in Los Angeles to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Acuña tore his right ACL on July 20, 2021 and came back strong with his 2023 MVP season.

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