Braves star 2B Ozzie Albies (broken wrist) out for 8 weeks

Atlanta Braves three-time All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies broke his left wrist on Sunday and will be out for eight weeks.

The Braves said the severity of the injury was determined by X-rays taken after Sunday’s 6-2 loss to the visiting St. Louis Cardinals.

Albies was covering second base on a steal attempt by Michael Siani of the Cardinals in the ninth inning. Siani collided with Albies’ glove hand as he tried to catch the ball and apply a tag.

Albies was in immediate pain and his glove flew off his hand. Braves manager Brian Snitker and a trainer rushed out and Albies quickly left the game.

During his post-game session, Snitker said he knew the injury news wouldn’t be good news.

“The rider hit him and that’s never good,” Snitker told reporters. “He’s obviously going to the IL.”

Braves catcher Travis d’Arnaud had a good view of the game after throwing the ball to second base.

“The throw was a bit over the line and (Albies) went to get the ball and the runner was there,” d’Arnaud told reporters. “He immediately grabbed his hand or his wrist or whatever it was. It didn’t look good. I tried to go out and see if he was OK but it was clearly not good. He knew it. He immediately walked off the field.”

Albies, 27, went 2-for-4 on Sunday to raise his average to .258. He has eight home runs and 46 RBIs in 90 games.

Albies has been a key player for the Braves since reaching the majors in 2017. He has hit 20-plus homers four times, including a career-best 33 last season. He has twice had 100 RBIs and three 100-run drives.

Zack Short replaced Albies in Sunday’s game.

One potential replacement for Albies is Triple-A infielder Nacho Alvarez Jr., who has a .336 batting average with seven homers and 24 RBIs in 28 games with Gwinnett since being promoted from Double-A. Alvarez, 21, is Atlanta’s No. 5 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.

–Field Level Media