MINNEAPOLIS – Braves outfielder Michael Harris II appears to have avoided the worst with his left hand. He did not suffer a fracture after getting hit by a pitch – his hand is only bruised. And as of Monday, he is not on the injured list.
“A lot better than (Sunday),” Harris said on Monday about how he felt. “Initially when it happened, I had enough adrenaline going to stay in for a little while. As it kind of set off, going back up to swing again after contact, I don’t think it was best to do that, so I came out and got treatment, got the tests done and everything’s good. Just whenever I’m feeling 100 percent again, that’s when it’s time to go.”
Harris was not in Atlanta’s lineup for Monday’s series opener at Target Field. Braves manager Brian Snitker put Whit Merrifield in the leadoff spot and Jarred Kelenic in center field.
Is it realistic to believe Harris could play in a few days?
“Yeah, I feel like that’s realistic,” Harris said. “But I guess we’ll really know when the body fully heals. I just gotta listen to my body. I can say whatever, but if the body’s not feeling it, then I can’t go.”