Kurt Suzuki leaves game early after being hit by pitch

With Tyler Flowers out for a while due to an oblique injury, the last thing the Braves needed was for anything to happen to Kurt Suzuki. In addition to being part of a platoon with Flowers that accounted for some of the best offensive production from the catcher position in the major leagues last year, the Braves are not exactly awash with guys who have proven themselves to be major league catchers.

Well unfortunately, just because a team doesn’t NEED for something to happen doesn’t mean that it isn’t going to happen.

It is worth being clear about a few things before we walk towards the ledge. First, Suzuki did stay in the game initially after getting plunked in his throwing hand with a pitch. He even came around to score in that very inning and he did catch for another inning. However, Chris Stewart coming into the game in the 6th is not the usual arrangement.

All of that said, there is no word of a significant injury for Suzuki yet and the Braves could be playing it safe with Suzuki as the HBP look like it hurt a ton and they just want to pull him to give it some rest. However, given the Braves’ already thin catching corps, one would expect that the Braves will have to answer some questions after the game about Suzuki’s status and a roster move may not be out of the question either.