ATLANTA -- Freddie Freeman created a scare as he walked off the field much like he had last season when a pitch fractured his left wrist. But early indications created reason to believe the Braves' first baseman might have avoided another significant injury.
Freeman exited Wednesday night's 7-3 win over the Phillies when his left wrist was hit by a Hoby Milner pitch in the eighth inning. There was immediate concern because the 89-mph fastball struck him around the same area where his wrist was fractured by Blue Jays southpaw Aaron Loup's fastball last year. The Braves did not announce the results of the X-ray exam performed Wednesday and will not provide any further information until Freeman is re-evaluated Thursday morning. But there is at least reason to believe the X-ray did not reveal a fracture.

"It's a concern, when he gets hit in that hand," manager Brian Snitker said. "Hopefully it's ... I can't even comment because they're looking at him and evaluating him."

Freeman, who has hit .288 with two home runs and a .986 OPS this season, was not ready to comment on Wednesday night. He missed seven weeks when he fractured his wrist last year.