Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar hurt his left wrist attempting to make a diving catch in Saturday’s game against Pittsburgh. Initial X-rays were negative and the preliminary diagnosis was a jammed wrist, but the veteran will have further tests to determine whether there is soft-tissue damage and the extent of the injury.
Profar was the only free agent signed to a multiyear contract this winter by Atlanta and was penciled in for everyday duties in left field. He was injured in the fourth inning of the game at North Port, Fla., when he tried to catch a sinking line drive in the left-center field gap and landed awkwardly, appearing to bend back the glove hand.
If he’s not ready for Opening Day, the Braves could play Jarred Kelenic in left field instead of right field, where Kelenic was expected to share duties with Bryan De La Cruz at the beginning of the season until star right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. returns from knee surgery in late April or May.
Profar, 32, got a three-year, $42 million contract with the Braves after a personal-best season with the San Diego Padres. He hit .280 with a .380 on-base percentage and .459 slugging percentage, totaling 24 homers and 85 RBIs with an .839 OPS and 134 OPS+, his 11-year career-highs in each category.
Required reading
• Projecting the Braves’ Opening Day roster after some spring surprises
• Braves’ Sean Murphy out 4-6 weeks, opening door for top prospect Drake Baldwin to start at catcher
• Jurickson Profar gives Atlanta an answer to their left field void: Law
• Jurickson Profar excited to continue Curaçao-Braves ties, prove 2024 was no outlier
(Photo: Matthew Grimes Jr. / Atlanta Braves / Getty Images)
