Braves’ Whit Merrifield fractures foot, could return after months

Atlanta Braves infielder Whit Merrifield has a left foot fracture but might be able to return by next weekend’s series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Truist Park.

Merrifield suffered the injury after fouling a ball off his foot in Friday’s win over the Toronto Blue Jays. A CT scan and MRI revealed a fracture in his foot and he was expected to be out six to eight weeks.

However, after consulting with a foot specialist Saturday, Merrifield received better news.

“When they saw the CT scan and saw the small fracture, automatically it was six to eight [weeks],” manager Brian Snitker said, according to MLB.com. “Then they talked to the foot specialist, he said, ‘He’s not going to hurt it anymore. It’s about what he can tolerate.'”

Merrifield called it a “stable fracture” and said it was going to be a “pain tolerance thing” once the swelling went down.

The Braves added Merrifield in July after he was released by the Philadelphia Phillies. He’s batting .243 with a .701 OPS in 34 games with Atlanta this season.

How to find the next Whit Merrifield in college baseball - Bleed Cubbie Blue

Also Saturday, Atlanta acquired utilityman Cavan Biggio from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for cash considerations. Biggio had been on a minor league deal with the Giants.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Trevor Story collects RBI single in return to Red Sox

BOSTON — Trevor Story was 1 for 4 with an RBI single in his return to the Boston Red Sox after missing 133 games with a shoulder injury.

“We didn’t think I would be here at this point,” he said after Saturday night’s 7-5 win over the Chicago White Sox. ‘It feels like forever ago when I was fielding questions about it being a season-ending injury. Just so grateful for the opportunity to do it.”

Whit Merrifield was removed from tonight's game after being hit by this pitch in the back of the head. : r/baseball

A two-time All-Star, the 31-year-old Story hurt his left shoulder attempting to make a diving backhand grab to story a hit by Anaheim’s Mike Trout on April 5. Los Angeles Dodgers team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache performed arthroscopic surgery seven days later on Story’s left posterior labrum.

Story hit .375 in four rehab games with Triple-A Worcester.

“Honestly, the baseball side of it is great. That’s awesome for us, but he’s ready to go,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said before the game. “Physically, we feel he’s in a good spot.”

Story’s projected recovery time had been six months.

“I remember that game in Anaheim and said, `No chance. He’s not going to play,'” Cora said, “but I think going to California for his rehab, disconnecting from the day-in, day-out here helped him.”

Story is in the third season of a $140 million, six-year contract. He was hitting .226 with four RBI in eight games before the injury.

He is a .265 career hitter with 177 homers and 535 RBI over nine major league seasons.

Boston optioned infielder Mickey Gaspar to Triple-A.