Braves optimistic Profar (bone bruise) will be ready for Opening Day
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NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Braves left fielder Jurickson Profar is expected to be ready for Opening Day after a CT scan showed just a bone bruise in his left wrist.
Profar jammed the wrist while attempting to make a sliding catch during the fourth inning of Saturday¡¯s game against the Pirates at CoolToday Park. X-rays were negative, but Profar flew to Atlanta on Sunday to undergo a CT scan.
Profar might need to rest for the rest of the week, but the expectation is that he will be in the lineup when Atlanta opens the season in San Diego on March 27.
Profar ranged into left-center field, and his glove seemed to catch in the outfield grass as he slid on his knees. The Braves¡¯ big free-agent addition rolled over in pain, grabbed his wrist and remained on the ground while he was evaluated by head athletic trainer George Poulis.
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Profar signed a three-year, $42 million deal with the Braves after hitting 24 homers and producing an .839 OPS for the Padres last season. He is slated to play left field and serve as Atlanta¡¯s leadoff hitter until Ronald Acu?a Jr. returns from left knee surgery at some point in May.
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This was great news for the Braves, who saw 2024 Opening Day starter Spencer Strider and five position players from their Opening Day lineup miss at least two months because of injuries last year. Veteran starting catcher Sean Murphy is already expected to begin this season on the injured list with a cracked left rib.