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Merrifield became the fourth Braves player in less than a month to get hit by a high-and-tight fastball.
Star third baseman Austin Riley is expected to miss the rest of the regular season after suffering a broken hand when he was hit by a 97 mph pitch last month. Center fielder Michael Harris and veteran catcher Travis d’Arnaud also missed time last month after being plunked, although both avoided serious injuries.
Merrifield mentioned all three of his teammates Tuesday and also cited other major leaguers who recently experienced major health scares due to inside fastballs.
“I watched Taylor Ward get hit in the face last year and have to get reconstructive surgery,” Merrifield said. “Justin Turner got hit in the face last year. It’s happening at an exponential rate. Guys are getting hit in the hand. Mookie Betts broke a bone in his hand this year.
“It’s just ridiculous and it has to be fixed or God forbid, something terrible is going to happen. If this hits me in a different spot — it’s just pathetic. It’s frankly pathetic some of the pitchers we’re running out there that don’t know where the ball is going at the major-league level. And it’s got to be fixed.”
Braves manager Brian Snitker said Merrifield passed the concussion protocol and might be able to play Wednesday, but the nine-year veteran was still fuming after the game.
“I’m out of the game, but [Criswell] gets to stay in and pitch,” Merrifield said. “I’m probably not going to be able to play [Wednesday] — no repercussion on his part. I mean, without being over dramatic, that was my life on the line right there.
“So I’m sick of it. It’s happening way too much out there.”
