Atlanta Braves fans were initially concerned when All-Star outfielder Jurickson Profar injured his left wrist on Saturday. Fortunately, both Profar and the team caught a break when a CT scan revealed that it was just a bone bruise.
As a result, Profar is expected to be ready for Opening Day on March 27, instead of being placed on the injured list. Profar, who signed a three-year, $42 million contract in January, was hurt while sliding to catch a ball.
He left the game and underwent an X-ray later that night. “Those things are always scary when they roll their wrists under like that,” said manager Brian Snitker, according to the Braves’ official website.
The Braves are all too familiar with wrist injuries, having seen third baseman Austin Riley and shortstop Orlando Arcia both fracture their wrists in the past two years. Additionally, Atlanta is already missing catcher Sean Murphy, who is sidelined with a rib injury.
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Profar set career highs in every major category for the San Diego Padres last season, hitting .280 with 24 home runs, 85 RBIs, and 29 doubles. He posted an .839 OPS and 3.6 bWAR over 158 games.
The Braves are counting on Profar to make an immediate impact, especially with 2023 NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. likely out until May. Profar’s .380 on-base percentage ranked seventh in all of baseball and second in the National League, only behind Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani.
