The Braves got the news they feared: Freddie Freeman has a fractured left wrist.
He is expected to miss at least 10 weeks after sustaining a fractured wrist when struck by a pitch in the fifth inning Wednesday night against Toronto.
X-rays taken immediately after the incident at the ballpark were inconclusive, but an MRI and CT scan Thursday clearly showed the fracture.
Freeman was hit on the inside of his wrist by left-handed reliever Aaron Loup, who has hit four batters in his past seven appearances.
The Braves don't have any clear-cut replacements for Freeman, and could use a mix of players including third-base prospect Rio Ruiz, who was called up from Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday. Ruiz and rookie infield Johan Camargo worked at first base before batting practice Thursday with infield coach Ron Washington and bench coach Terry Pendleton.
Utility player Jace Peterson replaced Freeman in Wednesday's game, the first time Peterson played first base at any level of professional baseball.
Right fielder Nick Markakis and catcher Tyler Flowers also have some experience at first base.
It's a devastating blow for the Braves, who have won five of six games to move into second place in the National League East, but will now play without the slugger their offense is built around and a guy who's been one of the best hitters in baseball this season.
"When the best hitter in the game goes out, and he's on our team, it really sucks," Braves pitcher Mike Foltynewicz said after pitching six innings for the win Wednesday.
Freeman entered Wednesday leading the National League in home runs (14) and ranked second in on-base percentage (.457), third in slugging percentage (.754), fifth in walks (26) and sixth in batting average (.343).
It was the seventh time that Braves hitters had been hit by pitches in the past three games against the Blue Jays, including five times in Monday's game at Toronto.
Freeman is off to one of the best starts in franchise history, now could miss close to half the season by the time the bone heals and he goes through the rehab procedure. Freeman had two stints on the disabled list in 2015 for injuries to his right wrist and hand.
