BREAKING: Michael Harris leaves Marlins game with leg injury

Sam Hilliard subs into the game to replace Harris, who stepped awkwardly on first base trying to beat out a groundball

Lindsay Crosby | May 3, 2023

Just innings after Kyle Wright left with an unspecified injury, Michael Harris was lifted from the game for injury, as well.

Trying to beat out a ground ball in the 6th inning, Harris lunged for 1st base and appeared to catch his toe on the front of the ball, extending the ankle and landing awkwardly as he crossed the bag. He immediately went down and was eventually helped up before exiting the field, and the game, under his own power.

Here's the video:

Michael Harris II is now out of the game following this play at first base. pic.twitter.com/NGcGMO9Lx4
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) May 4, 2023

Harris just returned to the lineup after missing three weeks with a lower back strain, suffered on April 6th against the San Diego Padres. He was activated from the IL on April 28th and collected three hits, including a homerun in this game, before the injury forced him from the contest. He was replaced in centerfield by Sam Hilliard.

Harris, 21, was last year's NL Rookie of the Year after being promoted to MLB from AA Mississippi and hit .297/.339/.514 with 19 homeruns, 64 RBIs, and 75 runs in 114 games. He stabilized a shaky outfield situation for a team that had just lost Adam Duvall to a broken wrist and was needing an everyday centerfield option. Atlanta signed him after the season to an 8-year, $72M contract with two team options that, if both exercised, would keep him in Atlanta through 2032 for a guaranteed $107M.

We'll provide more updates as we get them.

UPDATE: The Braves announce that the removal was for precautionary reasons.