Atlanta Braves fans saddened as reliever Jesse Chavez carried off field after being hit by comebacker: "He was having such a good season"
Atlanta Braves reliever Jesse Chavez had to be carried off the field after being hit just below the knee on a comebacker off the bat of Miguel Cabrera on Wednesday afternoon.
The incident occurred in the sixth inning of the Braves game at the Detroit Tigers. Chavez took a one-hopper clocked at 99 mph off of Cabrera's bat and immediately fell to the ground in agony.
#Braves reliever Jesse Chavez, who has pitched like an All-Star this season, just got drilled in the left leg below the knee by a comebacker. He had to basically be carried off the field by two team trainers, couldn't put weight on the leg.
That was a 99.6 mph scorched one-hopper off the bat of Miguel Cabrera that hit Chavez just below the knee. Didn't appear to be slowed at all by the bounce, which was off dirt since this field has a unique dirt cutout path from home plate to the pitcher's mound.
Jesse Chavez is helped off the field after being hit in the leg by a comebacker.
(via @BravesOnBally)
https://t.co/DY7WwJoIpq
Chavez came on to relieve Atlanta Braves starter Spencer Strider in the sixth inning and was facing his first batter of the afternoon in Cabrera. The Tigers' future Hall of Famer hit the comebacker on Chavez's fourth pitch of his appearance.
Chavez remained on the ground as he was tended to by trainers, who eventually helped the 39-year-old to his feet and carried him off the field. Kirby Yates replaced Chavez on the mound.
@DOBrienATL Might be career ending at his age.
@DOBrienATL Hate it for him, man he was having such a good season. Let’s hope it isnt serious.
@DOBrienATL Literally hurts getting the details...hate this so much 😭
Chavez has been one of the top relievers in the Atlanta Braves' bullpen this season. The 16-year MLB veteran had a 1.55 ERA through 30 appearances heading into Wednesday, striking out 36 batters with just nine walks allowed in 29 innings of work.
@DOBrienATL It's sad to think his career might have just ended on that play. Hope it's not as bad as it looked.
@DOBrienATL Damn this is not the guy we want to be losing right now.
@DOBrienATL I sure hope Jesse is okay and misses only minimal time. He has been so good this season.
This is the second season of a second go-around with the Braves for Chavez. He was 3-3 with a 2.72 ERA in 46 games with Atlanta in 2022. The Braves are ninth MLB team that Chavez has pitched for in a big league career that began in 2008 with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
@DOBrienATL Flush and direct hit, dang it
@DOBrienATL Injuries stink, man
not Jesse@DOBrienATL 💔 not Jesse
Chavez became a fan favorite in Atlanta as part of the Braves' 2021 World Series championship squad. That season, he went 3-2 with a 2.14 ERA in 30 games.
@DOBrienATL I'm not crying, promise 😢 https://t.co/fj3rgzgVaZ
Atlanta Braves still holding on to NL East lead
The Braves are still holding onto a decent, but not comfortable, lead in the National League East. The Miami Marlins are in the No. 2 divisional spot, with a hard-charging Philadelphia Phillies squad in third. The New York Mets, losers of nine of the team's past 10 games, are in fourth.