Kurt Suzuki hit in hand by pitch, later leaves game

Braves catcher Kurt Suzuki celebrates his solo home run Sunday in Oakland, giving the Braves an early lead. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Credit: Steve Hummer

Credit: Steve Hummer

Braves catcher Kurt Suzuki celebrates his solo home run Sunday in Oakland, giving the Braves an early lead. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Kurt Suzuki was hit in the hand by a pitch from Phillies starter NIck Pivetta in the fourth inning of Friday’s game.

Suzuki fell to the ground and stayed down for a moment. After meeting with trainers, he stayed in the game and took first base.

He left the game in the sixth, relieved by Chris Stewart. The Braves went on to lose 5-4 in 11 innings.

“He’s a tough guy,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “It just wasn’t going to work. We’re going to look at him again tomorrow. He got bruised up pretty good. They’re going to check him out again in the morning.

“I think we’ll know more tomorrow, whether or not he needs (a stint on disabled list). It’s probably iffy if he’ll be available tomorrow. We may have to do something. When those things get that swollen, they can’t see them right off the bat. We’ll evaluate him in the morning and see where he’s at.”

The Braves are already a catcher short after putting Tyler Flowers on the disabled list. A healthy Suzuki would assume the bulk of work. Stewart serves as the backup, while Charlie Culberson and Ryan Flaherty are emergency options.