A day after being struck in the face by an errant fastball, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jason Heyward underwent surgery on Thursday to repair a fractured jaw, the team announced.
Jason Heyward injury: Braves OF has surgery to repair jaw
Heyward underwent jaw surgery on Thursday, the day after he was struck in the face by a 90 mph fastball.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Two plates have been placed on Heyward’s jaw, one on each of the two fracture sites.
Heyward was hit by a 90 mph fastball from New York Mets left-hander Jonathan Niese in the sixth inning of the Braves' 4-1 win on Wednesday. Niese's pitch crumpled Heyward to the ground, where he lay for several minutes before being helped off the field by medical staff. He was then transported to the hospital and had the jaw stabilized.
The injury is expected to keep Heyward sidelined for 4-6 weeks, possibly knocking him out for the remainder of the regular season.
It's unfortunate timing for Heyward, who had recently been heating up at the plate for the Braves. He was batting .359 with four home runs and 10 RBI in the month of August. Though Atlanta's place atop the NL East is likely safe without the slugger -- the Braves are up 15½ games over the second-place Washington Nationals -- the team is certainly hoping Heyward will be ready to go come playoff time.
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