Dansby Swanson ‘feels OK’ but not in lineup after being hit on head
Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson, hit on the head by a pitch during Tuesday night's game, was held out of the lineup for Wednesday's homestand finale, but he appeared to be doing fine.
“He’s good,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said Wednesday morning. “He passed all the tests, said he feels OK.
“They’re going to work him out, but (head trainer George Poulis) says he doesn’t see any reason he won’t be available off the bench if we need him.”
» Also: Freddie Freeman out of lineup for Red Sox finale
In a scary scene, Swanson fell to the ground in the second inning Tuesday after an 85-mph slider from Boston pitcher Rick Porcello struck his batting helmet near his left ear.
Swanson got up and began making his way toward first base, but was removed from the game. He experienced soreness and some ringing in his ears. Tests showed no signs of a concussion.
Swanson wasn’t available for interviews after Tuesday’s game or before Wednesday’s.
Snitker said the quick turnaround from Tuesday night’s game to Wednesday’s noon start was an additional reason for keeping Swanson out of the lineup.
“That’s the main thing I told him: ‘Knowing you’re not going to play, you can sleep another hour,’ ” Snitker said.
Charlie Culberson started in Swanson’s place at shortstop.
About the Author
Tim Tucker, a long-time AJC sports reporter, often writes about the business side of the games. He also had stints as the AJC's Braves beat writer, UGA beat writer, sports notes columnist and executive sports editor. He was deputy managing editor of America's first all-sports newspaper, The National Sports Daily.
