Charlie Culberson suffered multiple fractures, will be evaluated in Atlanta (UPDATED)

Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker gave an update on the status of Charlie Culberson prior to Sunday’s series finale against the Nationals. Snitker indicated that Culberson had suffered multiple facial fractures but looked much better than was expected. He also didn’t have to spend the night in the hospital and returned to the team hotel Saturday night.

The plan is for him to be evaluated back in Atlanta at which point his status will be updated.

Culberson was injured in a scary incident Saturday when he was hit in the face by a pitch from Nationals reliever Fernando Rodney in the seventh inning. The pitch appeared to strike him in the cheek area on the right side of his face.

Brian Snitker was ejected following the incident after the umpiring crew charged Culberson with a strike saying that he attempted to bunt the ball before he was struck. Nationals manager Dave Martinez talked with Snitker prior to Sunday’s game and tried to quell some of the criticism that has come his way for his asking the umpires about the bunt attempt.

The loss of Culberson is another blow to Atlanta’s bench unit which lost Johan Camargo to a fractured shin earlier this week. With just two weeks remaining in the regular season and the playoffs looming, the Braves’ depth will once again be put to the test.

UPDATE - The team has announced that Culberson will return to Atlanta on Sunday where he will be evaluated by team doctors.

UPDATE - Brian Snitker addresses the media and gives an update on Culberson.