Braves reliever Jesse Chavez was carried off the field Wednesday afternoon after a comeback one-hopper struck him in what appeared to be the upper area of the left shin. The ball off the bat of Tigers legend Miguel Cabrera was 99.6 miles per hour.
Here's the footage, with the highlight of the play coming around the 1:08 mark:
The Braves are hopeful Chavez avoided major injury, as X-rays came back negative, the club told reporters between games of the doubleheader (via David O'Brien). Further tests also appeared clean and Chavez is considered day-to-day (via Justin Toscano).
Chavez has been so valuable out of the bullpen this season, especially given the struggles of high-profile relievers like A.J. Minter and Raisel Iglesias at different points in the season.
In 29 innings, Chavez has a 1.55 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 36 strikeouts against nine walks. He's amassed 1.3 WAR and that isn't even far off his career high, despite it being a cumulative stat and this being June 14.
The 39-year-old Chavez is pitching in his 16th big-league season and has never been an All-Star, but he actually has a chance this time around, should things -- including news on this injury -- break right for him.
After the Braves took the first game Wednesday against the Tigers, they moved to a 41-26 record. The entered the day with a four-game lead in the NL East and have been in first all but one day this season.
