BOSTON – As Orlando Arcia rounded first base after hitting a 10th-inning double, he appeared to injure himself. He slowed up a bit as he reached second, then stepped on the bag but overran it as he hobbled.
He couldn’t put any weight on his left leg. He immediately exited the game.
After the Braves’ win over Boston, manager Brian Snitker said Arcia suffered a left hamstring injury and will be placed on the injured list.
“I think he said he heard it pop, and so that’s never good,” Snitker said. “I hate that for him, too, because how many big hits has he had for us? And the great defense that he’s played. And so I really hate it for him.”
Snitker said the Braves will know more about the severity of the injury on Wednesday morning. Ehire Adrianza, acquired from Washington at the trade deadline, replaced Arcia in the 10th. He would seemingly fill the role with Arcia on the injured list. The Braves will need to make a move of some sort to add depth.
Arcia has capably filled the second base spot while Ozzie Albies has been out after fracturing his foot. He’s provided some offense – including a few huge hits – but has played outstanding defense.
And the Braves will miss his personality.
“He’s such a great teammate and is always one of the top-stepper guys that’s always cheering his teammates on,” Snitker said. “The guys love him, I love him, everybody (loves him). He’s a big part of this team. He was last year. And how he’s stepped in and the job he’s done here has been unbelievable, especially defensively, in Ozzie’s absence. I hate it for him. He likes to play baseball. He’s a grinder. Ballpark rat.”
Arcia is batting .243 with a .726 OPS this season. He has seven homers and 26 RBIs. He’s been Atlanta’s primary second baseman since Albies went down in June.
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Arcia’s teammates are hurting for him.
“You hate it for him,” Austin Riley said. “He’s such a good teammate. But you got to move forward. Guys got to step up, and we will. But nah, never like to see a guy go down like that.”
“He means a lot,” Ronald Acuña said through interpreter Franco García. “And every player that’s here is here for a reason. They have a purpose. He’s one of those guys who goes out there and gives 100 percent effort and goes out to work every single day.”
“I just hope, for him, it’s not too serious,” Charlie Morton said. “I know they checked him out in there and we’ll see the severity, but it stinks. He shows up and really cares about the guys, really cares about the team. … It stinks for everybody.”
Adrianza could be the primary second baseman until Albies returns. But regardless of whether that will or will not be the case, Atlanta will need to add an infielder.
There are a few options at Triple A. This could have been an opportunity for prospect Braden Shewmake’s debut, but he was placed on the injured list. Joe Dunand, who has limited big-league experience, could be in play for a call-up. Taylor Motter, who is hitting well, could be recalled.
