Outfielder Sam Hilliard leaves game with injury

The Braves leftfielder, playing for an injured Eddie Rosario, was replaced by Kevin Pillar

Sam Hilliard can't catch a break. 

Part of the injury rotation for Michael Harris II in centerfield earlier this season, he spent over a month without at-bats during Eddie Rosario's hot streak in the month of June. (His last at-bats came on May 23rd, when he started in center and went 0-3 with two strikeouts.)

After Rosario tweaked a hamstring over the weekend against the White Sox, Hilliard finally got back into the lineup and started in Sunday's series finale, batting 9th and playing left field. 

But he tweaked his leg while trying to beat out a groundball in the 2nd inning and has left tonight's game. 

TWEET

Veteran Kevin Pillar replaced Hilliard in left field for the top of the 4th inning.  

Outfielder Forrest Wall, called up on Tuesday morning after Kolby Allard went on the 60-day IL with shoulder nerve inflammation, was added to the roster this morning and is suddenly the 4th outfielder for the Atlanta Braves.  

Hilliard's played in 39 games this season, batting .239/.299/.437 with 3 HRs and 8 extra base hits, striking out 33 times. He was used as a pinch runner multiple times during the June hot streak, but hasn't started in the field since May 23rd. 

Wall, signed to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training, has been batting .258/.360/.399 in his 78 games for the AAA Gwinnett Stripers, with 25 extra base hits (including six homers and six triples) and has stolen 45 bases (in 49 attempts).

A veteran of four minor league organizations and nine years in the minors, this is the 27 year-old Wall's first MLB call-up. Earlier today, friend of the program Kelly Crull caught up with the Braves outfielder to discuss his first ever Call to the Show. 

"I fell to my knees. I had tears in my eyes."

After nine seasons in the minors with four different organizations, 2014 first-round pick Forrest Wall received his call to The Show.

The newest @Braves outfielder sits down with @Kelly_Crull to reflect on his journey. pic.twitter.com/vABN9R7qAw

— Bally Sports South (@BallySportsSO) July 18, 2023

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