Michael Harris II goes on IL with hamstring injury

ATLANTA — Center fielder Michael Harris II left the Braves’ 7-3 win over the Rays on Friday night in the first inning with left hamstring tightness and was placed on the 10-day injured list on Saturday.

After hitting a leadoff single, the 2022 National League Rookie of the Year took third on Ozzie Albies’ double but grimaced as he neared the bag. He doubled over in pain before meeting with the athletic trainer and exiting the game.

J.P. Martínez pinch-ran for Harris and came around to score four pitches later on a Marcell Ozuna homer. Martínez stayed in the game and took over for Harris in center field, going 1-for-4 with the one run scored.

Harris underwent an MRI on Saturday, and his timetable will be better understood when the Braves receive the results.

“It’s tough,” third baseman Austin Riley said. “What [Harris] does out there in center and, obviously, in our lineup, you hate that. You really do. Seems like we’ve been kind of snakebit on injuries this year. But it’s going to be a ‘next guy up’ mentality, but I’m sure whoever steps in will do just fine.”

The injury to Harris is another significant blow for the Braves after losing reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. for the season due to a torn left ACL. Harris had taken over the leadoff spot against righties following Acuña’s injury.

Replacing Harris’ defense in center field could be a challenge, as he was the only Braves player to man the position this season before his injury. Outfielder Ramón Laureano was selected from Triple-A Gwinnett and added to the 40-man roster in place of Harris, but Jarred Kelenic played center and batted leadoff on Saturday. To fill the leadoff spot, the Braves could also turn back to Albies, who has been atop the order in six of his past 18 starts.

Regardless, it’s tough news for a team that was starting to hit its stride offensively with five or more runs scored in consecutive games for the first time since April 19-20.