Whit Merrifield got hurt in practice hours after the Braves signed him to help replace the injured Ozzie Albies

The Atlanta Braves went into this season among the favorites to win the National League pennant and World Series. And though it’s only July, luck clearly hasn’t been on the Braves’ side this season.

On Monday, it possibly got even worse.

Braves star second baseman Ozzie Albies suffered a fractured wrist in Sunday’s series finale against the Cardinals. The Albies injury forced Atlanta to call up prized prospect Nacho Alvarez Jr. and to take a flyer on 3-time All-Star Whit Merrifield (recently DFA’d by the Phillies) for some added infield depth.

Well, Merrifield hardly made it out of the clubhouse before he became the latest Braves player to get hurt.

Can’t make this up: Whit Merrifield was working out on the field this afternoon at Truist Park and took a ball off the finger. He’s currently being evaluated by the #Braves medical staff.

— Kevin McAlpin (@KevinMcAlpin) July 22, 2024

Merrifield took a grounder off his throwing hand while participating in infield workouts, and he left the field to get evaluated by the Atlanta training staff. Braves manager Brian Snitker was almost at a loss for words when he told reporters about Merrifield’s incident.

"Can't make it up."

Whit Merrifield arrived in Atlanta today after being signed to help cover injuries … then he gets injured taking a ball off a finger on his throwing hand while warming up. pic.twitter.com/b514rYkZ5j

— Bally Sports South (@BallySportsSO) July 22, 2024

“Can’t make it up,” Snitker said of the bad injury luck this season. The Braves lost MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. to an ACL injury early in the season, and Spencer Strider also suffered a season-ending injury after two starts. Max Fried, Michael Harris II and Albies are currently on the IL. It’s been rough.

Merrifield did avoid a fracture, so there’s that.

Whit Merrifield is considered day-to-day. No fracture.

— Gabe Burns (@GabeBurnsAJC) July 22, 2024

But Braves fans could not believe that Merrifield already got hurt.

This was how Twitter/X reacted

https://t.co/OJaOQtUyS2 pic.twitter.com/dVxTRDESEV

— Carlie (@car724) July 22, 2024

Nothing phases me anymore https://t.co/24Uy06CGui pic.twitter.com/TfxmbPYcY6

— Max Fried Enthusiast (@ATLhoe12345) July 22, 2024

someone go sage truist park https://t.co/oGhs24GZM4 pic.twitter.com/2lGMlkBMS7

— ミ★ ???????????????????? ★彡 (@captnhuggy) July 22, 2024

Wait…the same Whit Merrifield they signed this morning, who was brought in for the specific reason to replace a hurt player is now hurt? https://t.co/nQgQLYPe4Y

— Jason Shetler (@Jason_Shetler) July 22, 2024

The 2024 Atlanta Braves https://t.co/jszfIA5Zth pic.twitter.com/SoiJtpULZZ

— Peyton (@PeytonTowry) July 22, 2024

did dansby leave any sage behind https://t.co/XWBqjo56vH

— Battery Power (@BatteryPowerSBN) July 22, 2024

You have got to be kidding me… https://t.co/LlXuNZQDug

— Olivia Sayer (@OliviaKSayer) July 22, 2024

Bubble wrap the whole team https://t.co/Kxbtpn0UI7

— AMD (@sta306) July 22, 2024

The 2024 Braves season summed up in one tweet. https://t.co/fbSvNU0w5t

— Julie (@missjuliek) July 22, 2024

You gotta be effin kidding! https://t.co/HCZDG6EzBT

— Jasoñ Reese (@jase1129) July 22, 2024