Atlanta Braves outfielder Justin Upton needed to be pulled from Thursday's game against the Cleveland Indians after taking an Ubaldo Jimenez fastball off his left hand in the fifth inning, but the team says x-rays on the area are negative.
Justin Upton injury: Braves OF hit on hand, x-rays negative
The Braves outfielder got plunked on a high-and-tight pitch from Indians starter Ubaldo Jimenez.
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Upton was 2-for-2 with a run scored heading into the fifth inning. He came to the plate with two outs, the bases empty and Jimenez on the mound. After a first-pitch called strike on a slider, Indians catcher Yan Gomes set up inside and Jimenez delivered a 92 mph fastball that moved in on Upton, hitting him on the left hand. Jimenez reacted with frustration at the location of the pitch, grabbing his head as Upton winced in pain.
After being examined by trainers, Upton left the game, replaced on first base by Freddie Freeman. At the start of the next inning, Joey Terdoslavich moved from first base to replace Upton defensively in left field, with Freeman replacing him in the infield.
The pitch hit Upton in the hand and wrist area, sparking fears that he may have suffered a serious injury on the play. However, x-rays don’t show broken bones or structural damage, and he doesn’t appear likely to land on the DL at this point. The contusion on his hand may sideline him a few games, but nothing more.
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