BREAKING: Michael Harris II to 10-day injured list with lower back strain
Well, if you held your breath last night, you were right to do so.
Centerfielder Michael Harris II, who left last night's game with lower back tightness, is going to need more than some ibuprofen to get back into game shape. He'll go on the injured list, missing at least 10 days, the Braves announced on Friday afternoon.
Taking Harris' place on the roster is Eli White. The 28 year-old flashed in spring training, playing a good center field and batting .429/.500/.893 with three homeruns, six total extra base hits, and a stolen base. White, originally a 11th round pick out of Clemson by the Oakland A's, spent the last three years as a member of the Texas Rangers. He hit .185 with a .556 OPS and was non-tendered after the season, signing a minor league deal with Atlanta and receiving an invite to spring training.
Additionally, he's started off hot in Gwinnett, per Locked On Sports Atlanta's Grant McAuley:
Harris, 22, was the NL Rookie of the Year in 2022 after batting .297/.339/.514 in 114 games. He was called up in May and showed he immediately belonged despite his age and relative inexperience (only 43 games in the high minors) by collecting hits in six of his first eight games, going 7-25 with multiple extra base hits and exemplary defense.
Harris signed a 8-year, $72 million contract extension in August that, if both team options are picked up, would pay him just over $100M for the next ten years.
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Michael Harris II leaves game due to back injury
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