The Atlanta Braves have been hobbled by myriad injuries throughout the 2024 season. Now, one of their midseason injury replacements has vowed to play after fracturing a bone in his foot.
Initially expected to miss six weeks, Merrifield has vowed to play through the injury. The standings almost certainly dictate Merrifield’s response: entering Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta (77-65) is trailing the New York Mets (78-64) by one game in the National League Wild Card race.
Merrifield told reporters Saturday that the injury was a “stable fracture.”
“Once we soft tissue and swelling and stuff figured out, I could be back as soon as the Dodgers series,” he said.
The Braves host the Dodgers Sept. 13-16 in a pivotal series for the two perennial National League contenders.
ATLANTA, GA – AUGUST 21: Whit Merrifield #15 of the Atlanta Braves and Alec Bohm #28 of the Philadelphia Phillies talk in the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Truist Park on August 21, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. Merrifield has a fracture in his foot.
Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images
“It’s not going to get worse so once we get the areas around the break down,” Merrifield said. “it’s going to be a pain tolerance thing.”
It’s been a tough year for Merrifield, who made his third career All-Star team just last year for the Toronto Blue Jays. After signing a one-year, $7 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies in February, Merrifield proceeded to hit .199/.277/.295 in 53 games before he was designated for assignment and released in July.
Read more: National League’s Best Team Releases Three-Time All-Star
Later that month, the Braves lost second baseman Ozzie Albies, a three-time All-Star, to a left wrist fracture and signed Merrifield in response. Through Saturday his numbers (.243/.359/.342) have improved markedly. But Merrifield’s time in Atlanta has been anything but a cakewalk.
On Sept. 3, Merrifield was struck by a 94-mph fastball in the head, prompting an extended postgame monologue in which Merrifield excoriated the ability of today’s pitchers to command the baseball.
In last night’s game Braves 2nd baseman Whit Merrifield was struck in the head by a 94 mph fastball. He’s lucky to be standing. “It’s pretty pathetic that some of the pitchers out there don’t know where the ball is going at the major league level.”- Whit Merrifield pic.twitter.com/94Aw8NLMDK
— charmane harbert ✝️ 🇺🇸 (@callme_Chari) September 4, 2024
Merrifield was a fine hitter and versatile defender in his heyday with the Kansas City Royals. From 2017-2021, he batted .292 with a .338 OBP and .439 slugging percenage, averaging 13 homers and 30 stolen bases per year. He made two All-Star teams during that span.
At this stage of his career, Merrifield is a fill-in while the Braves await Albies’ return. According to David O’Brien of The Athletic, the second baseman has been doing fielding drills and hitting from the right side but still feels discomfort when hitting left-handed.
Considering Atlanta has also dealt with season-ending injuries to their best pitcher (Spencer Strider) and best hitter (Ronald Acuña Jr.) it’s remarkable they are in a position to make the postseason at all.
Assuming they get past the Dodgers with their playoff hopes intact, the Braves’ next home series after that one will be pivotal: three games against the Mets with a potential playoff berth on the line from Sept. 24-26.
