BREAKING: Ozzie Albies leaves Mets game in the bottom of the 8th inning

New trade acquisition Nicky Lopez is playing 2nd base after Ozzie wasn't able to run out a ground ball in the 8th inning

Atlanta Braves 2nd baseman Ozzie Albies has left the game in the top of the 9th, replacing defensively by new trade acquisition Nicky Lopez. 

Ozzie grounded out to open the 8th inning, hitting to first baseman Pete Alonso, and wasn't able to run out the play. He was in visible discomfort but walked back to the dugout and there was no indication that he was leaving the game until Lopez checked in on defense for the bottom of the 8th. 

Atlanta's struggled at times to replace Ozzie when he's missed time due to injury. Albies missed 98 games in 2022 after a broken left foot and then, in his 2nd game back off of the IL, he broke his right pinky. He then had offseason shoulder surgery to clean up a lingering shoulder impingement, an injury that caused him to have a delayed start to playing the field in spring training. 

In Ozzie's place, Atlanta rotated through several other 2nd base options in 2022, using five other players including Vaughn Grissom, Orlando Arcia, Robinson Canó, Ehire Adrianza, and Phil Gosselin. 

As a team, the offensive (and defensive) production at 2nd base was a weak spot for the 2022 Atlanta Braves. The collective slash line for all players at second for Atlanta was .248/.306/.402 with 21 HRs, good for an 87 OPS+.  

UPDATE: The team announced it was a precautionary measure, with cramping in his hamstring. 

2B Ozzie Albies was removed from tonight’s game as a precaution with cramping in his left hamstring.

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) August 14, 2023

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