Games like Saturday's against the Angels are what Atlanta Braves fans had become accustomed to over the last few years. The bats were on full display as the lineup connected for six extra-base hits including three homers and Braves cruised to a 11-3 win over the Angels behind yet another absolutely amazing start from Chris Sale who appears to be running away with the NL Cy Young.
Unfortunately, as has been the case too often this year, not all the news was great. Travis d'Arnaud had gotten in on the fun with two-run double in the fifth, but was forced to leave the game early after getting hit in the wrist by a pitch in the seventh. He did initially stay in the game and even scored a run, but getting pulled was genuine cause for concern.
After the game, manager Brian Snitker came bearing some good news as the scans of d'Arnaud's wrist revealed no structural damage although he is likely to sit out of Sunday's series finale.
Brian Snitker said tests on Travis d'Arnaud's wrist were negative.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) August 18, 2024
He exited shortly after being hit by a pitch.
Braves News: Travis d'Arnaud day-to-day after getting hit by pitch
Considering the Braves' luck this year and what could have happened, it sure seems like TdA dodged a bullet here. Getting hit by a 94 mph pitch is no joke and when it finds something like a wrist or hand, we have seen plenty of cases where the result hasn't been nearly as good.
It is a shame, too, because d'Arnaud was showing a lot of really positive signs lately. While the month of August hasn't been overly kind to him, he had been hitting the ball hard and was coming off a month of July where he had posted a 1.072 OPS. Hopefully a day or two of rest allows him to bounce right back.
The Braves are in the fortunate position to have twovery capable catchers in d'Arnaud and Sean Murphy and it was likely that Murphy was going to play Sunday anyways given that the Braves typically don't like to play d'Arnaud in day games that follow night games. Murphy hasn't had the season at the plate that the Braves hoped for especially after his return from the injured list, but he has looked better lately with a .267/.371/.467 line since August 1.