Kim Hye-seong’s bat grazes catcher Sean Murphy’s mitt during a foul ball in the bottom of the seventh inning on April 11 (Korea time) against Atlanta. (Photo: MLB.TV capture)
Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy, who sustained a finger injury after being hit by Kim Hye-seong’s bat, has been placed on the injured list. The team announced on April 13 (Korea time) that Murphy suffered a fractured left middle finger and was placed on the 10-day IL. As a replacement, they signed free agent catcher Sandy León.
The injury occurred on April 11 at Dodger Stadium, with the Braves leading 4-0 in the bottom of the seventh. With one out and a runner on first, Kim Hye-seong faced Atlanta right-hander Robert Suarez. After a full count, Kim swung at the eighth pitch, a 99 mph fastball on the outside corner. His bat glanced off Murphy’s mitt, resulting in a catcher interference ruling that allowed Kim to reach base. Murphy initially continued playing but was replaced by a pinch-hitter in the top of the ninth. Drake Baldwin, who had been the designated hitter, caught in the bottom of the ninth. Persistent swelling and pain led to an X-ray, which revealed the fracture. Recovery is expected to take eight weeks.
Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy was placed on the injured list with a fractured finger. (AP/Yonhap News)
The Braves’ primary catcher remains last year’s National League Rookie of the Year, Drake Baldwin. Baldwin started at catcher in the Cubs game that day and has started 26 games at catcher and 16 as designated hitter this season. He is now expected to handle more catching duties. Newly signed Sandy León was playing in the Mexican League this season. He made his MLB debut with the Washington Nationals in 2012 and has since played for the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Guardians, and Texas Rangers, appearing in five games for Atlanta last year.
Murphy had hip surgery last September and spent seven months rehabbing. He returned on April 5 after a minor league stint but landed back on the IL after just four games. Coincidentally, Kim Ha-seong, who had surgery on his right middle finger during the winter and started the season on the IL, returned to the majors and played in the Cubs game that day. Murphy, now facing the same type of finger injury, will begin his rehab without even getting to face his teammate Kim Ha-seong.