The Atlanta Braves announced Saturday afternoon that infielder Whit Merrifield has a broken foot. The 35-year-old had left Friday night's game after fouling a ball off of his foot. Merrifield had just returned to the lineup after leaving Wednesday night's game after getting hit in the head.
This could be yet another huge blow to the Braves, who have been hampered by the injury bug since Opening Day. However, Mark Bowman of MLB.com revealed that although the initial prognosis for Merrifield's injury was six weeks, the infielder could be back as soon as next weekend.
Merrifield has a fracture in his left foot. Doctors told him six weeks last night. But they are now thinking he may be able to play during next weekend’s series against the Dodgers.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) September 7, 2024
We're just as confused as you are.
How long will Whit Merrifield's broken foot keep him out for the Braves?
The huge caveat in Merrifield's injury is how well he can manage the pain. According to Grant McAuley, after receiving the initial prognosis of six weeks, Merrifield saw a foot specialist who said that if he could manage the pain, he could return as soon as next weekend's series against the Dodgers.
#Braves Whit Merrifield said X-ray didn't show a fracture – CT & MRI did.
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) September 7, 2024
Initial prognosis was 6-week recovery, but he saw a foot specialist who indicated he could be back sooner and simply have to manage pain.
Merrifield said he hopes to return by Dodgers series if possible.
Merrifield has played a huge role in filling in at second base for the injured Ozzie Albies, who has been out since July 21 after breaking his wrist. While Merrifield has cooled down after his hot start, he's still slashed .243/.359/.342 (103 wRC+) in 34 games since joining the Braves.
If he only misses the next week, the Braves might play down a backup infielder for the time being. Aside from Luke Williams, who will fill in for Merrifield at second, only Adam Duvall, Eli White, and Travis d'Arnaud have experience at infielder positions that aren't first base – although d'Arnaud's experience at second and third base was fever-dream, emergency-based than anything. None of these options have any substantial experience either.
If Merrifield's initial six-week prognosis is more accurate, it means that his season is over and that the Braves will need to turn to an infielder who is in the minor leagues. Only Nacho Alvarez Jr. is on the 40-man roster, and he struggled during his brief cup of coffee earlier this season, slashing .100/.156/.100 (-26 wRC+) in 32 plate appearances.
Other options include Zack Short (.143/.308/.190), Alejo Lopez, and Brian Anderson. The latter would require Gio Urshela to move to second base, a place he has only played 28.2 MLB innings, although he has ample experience at shortstop.
The final option could require Ozzie Albies, whose wrist has healed enough to swing right-handed, but not enough to swing left-handed, to comeback early and forgo switch-hitting for the rest of the season.
Regardless of which timeline is the actual one for Merrifield's recovery, it's still a huge blow for an already decimated offense fighting for a postseason spot.