Atlanta Braves All-Star catcher Sean Murphy can’t seem to catch a break.
On Tuesday, Murphy started his sixth game of the season in the Braves’ series opener against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Ma.
The Braves led 8-3 in the top of the 9th when Murphy came up with the bases empty and two outs. On a 2-1 count, Red Sox reliever Chase Anderson plunked Murphy on the elbow with a 92 mph fastball.
Murphy’s elbow quickly swelled up as he walked toward first base. The Braves broadcast showed a close-up of the bump, which looked like a tennis ball sticking out of the catcher’s left arm.
Murphy had just returned to action on May 27 after a two-month stint on the injured list due to a strained oblique.
The Braves acquired Murphy from the Oakland Athletics before the 2023 season. The trade paid immediate dividends for Atlanta as the 29-year-old had a career year.
In 2023, Murphy hit .251 with 21 home runs and 28 RBIs across 108 games. Murphy had three fewer home runs in 148 games played the campaign prior.
Atlanta has had some brutal injury luck this season. Murphy will likely join the Braves’ best player on the injured list.
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Aroldis Chapman is now the unofficial record holder for angriest reaction to inducing a flyout.
The Pirates led the Los Angeles Dodgers 1-0 in the top of the 8th inning at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pa. on Tuesday.
Hernandez came up to the plate to face Chapman with one out and runners on first and second. Hernandez belted a first-pitch fastball to deep center field.
The booming sound off the bat made Chapman think the ball was destined for the seats. Chapman angrily slammed his glove on the mound before even checking to see where the ball landed. He didn’t realize that the ball had died at the warning track.
