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SPORTS Thursday 22 augusT 2024
Banged-up Braves scrambling to put together a lineup after an

unrelenting series of injuries

By PAUL NEWBERRY the first-place Philadelphia
AP Sports Writer Phillies, the Braves sent out
ATLANTA (AP) — In sports, a lineup that included three
there’s a mantra that ev- players who’ve been cut by
eryone falls back on when other teams this season.
the inevitable injuries strike. Whit Merrifield, released by
Next man up. the Phillies in July, started at
Only one problem for the second base. Ramón Laure-
Atlanta Braves. ano, let go by the Cleveland
“We’re having a hard Guardians in May, held down
time finding the next man right field. Gio Urshela got the
up,” manager Brian Snit- nod at third base, a mere
ker moaned. An unrelent- two days after he was cast
ing series of breaks, tears aside by the Detroit Tigers.
and strains have left the All three contributed to a
six-time reigning NL cham- 3-1 victory, undoubtedly
pions scrambling to cobble using their rejections as mo-
together a lineup, putting tivation. Merrifield tripled,
their hopes of making it back doubled and scored Atlan-
to the postseason in serious ta’s first run. Urshela walked
jeopardy.“We’re just going with the bases-loaded in the
through a really weird time eighth inning to drive in an
right now,” All-Star pitcher Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Martín Pérez (54) checks on Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuña insurance run.
Reynaldo López said through Jr., who injured himself running the bases during the first inning of a baseball game against the Laureano made two sliding
a translator. “It just feels like Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Sunday, May 26, 2024. catches in the ninth to seal
as soon as someone comes Associated Press the victory.
off the IL, someone goes on sustained a season-ending recovery goes well, he might member of the rotation, “You just play the best you
it. Then someone else comes knee injury in late May, one be able to return for the final spent more than three weeks can every night and a lot
off and someone else goes year after becoming the first days of the regular season. on the injured list with an in- of times it’s not your night,”
on. It’s just really strange, but 40-70 player (40 homers, 70 Center fielder Michael Harris flamed nerve in his left fore- Merrifield aid. “But to contrib-
there’s nothing we can do.” stolen bases) in big league II missed two months with a arm. Now, add Riley to the ute and play well against a
Slugging third baseman Aus- history. Ace pitcher Spencer left hamstring injury. list. team that told you that you
tin Riley was the latest to go Strider, coming off a fran- Key reliever A.J. Minter is “The guys that we’re losing, weren’t good enough to
down, his year in jeopardy chise record for strikeouts in done for the season after you can’t just go out and play for them, it feels good.
after getting plunked with a 2023, made it through only undergoing surgery for a replace them,” Snitker said. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t.”
97 mph fastball. He’ll need two starts this season before lingering hip ailment. “You’ve gotta hope you can In a twist on the injury story-
six to eight weeks to recover a torn elbow ligament ended Catcher Sean Murphy, an keep fighting and keep your line, López threw five strong
from a fractured right hand, his campaign. All Star in 2023, was sidelined head above water until you innings with 10 strikeouts
which knocks him out for at Second baseman Ozzie for nearly two months after get them back. Unfortunate- Tuesday night in his first ap-
least the rest of the regular Albies has been sidelined a swing on opening day ly, a lot of these guys we’re pearance in more than three
season. He’s hardly the first since July 21 after breaking left him with a strained left not getting back.” weeks. He had been on the
to suffer such a fate: his left wrist while catching a oblique muscle. For the opener of a crucial injured list with a strained
NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. throw on a stolen base. If his Max Fried, another key three-game series against right forearm. q

U.S. grouped with Mexico, Italy and Britain at Houston in 1st

round of 2026 World Baseball Classic

NEW YORK (AP) — The The Dominican Republic emerging from Groups C
United States will face will face Venezuela, the and D meeting in Miami. The
Mexico, Italy and Britain in Netherlands and Israel in semifinals will be March 15
Group B of the first round Group D at Miami’s loan and 16 at Miami, which will
of the 2026 World Baseball Depot park. be the site of the final on
Classic, which be based at Each five-nation group also March 17.
Houston’s Minute Maid Park, will include a nation that Japan beat the United
Major League Baseball and emerges from qualifying, States 3-2 for the 2023 title
the players’ association said which will be held in February at Miami as Shohei Ohtani
Wednesday. and March 2025. The Tokyo struck out Mike Trout to end
Puerto Rico will play Cuba, group will run from March the game. Japan also won
Panama and Canada in 5-10, with the others from titles in 2006 and 2009, while
Group A at San Juan’s Hiram March 6-11. the Dominican Republic won
Bithorn Stadium. The top two teams in in 2013 and the U.S. in 2017.
Defending champion Japan each group advance to Houston is hosting games for
will meet Australia, South quarterfinals on March 13 the first time and San Juan Japan player Shohei Ohtani (16) celebrates with his teammates
after defeating the United States in the World Baseball Classic
Korea and the Czech Republic and 14, with teams from for the first time since 2013. championship game, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Miami.
in Group C at the Tokyo Groups A and B playing Tokyo has hosted pools in all Associated Press
Dome from March 5-10. in Houston and nations five previous editions.q