Braves pitcher Brandon McCarthy left Wednesday’s game against the Nationals with a subluxation, or partial dislocation, of his non-throwing shoulder.
The unusual incident occurred as the veteran right-hander was covering first base on an inning-ending ground out to first baseman Freddie Freeman. McCarthy reached back slightly to catch the throw on the run before stepping on first base, and immediately reached for his left arm with his right hand as he came to a stop behind the infield.
McCarthy bent over in pain and called to the dugout. Head trainer Georgie Poulis ran out to check on him and appeared to pop McCarthy’s arm back into place. After the quick adjustment, McCarthy walked off the field no longer clutching his arm in pain, but loosening it up or testing it.
Reliever Sam Freeman replaced McCarthy to start the sixth inning. It doesn’t appear that McCarthy will miss his next scheduled turn, though officially he’s listed as day-to-day.
McCarthy, 34, has been the Braves’ most consistent starting pitcher in the early season, with wins in each of his first two starts before Wednesday and a 3.31 ERA in 16-1/3 innings, including Wednesday’s game, when he was charged with four hits, one run and two walks with three strikeouts in five innings and left with a 2-1 lead.
