No one player makes a team, but Martin Prado’s recent hand injury may have a significant effect as The Atlanta Braves progress toward the National League East division title. His injury happened Friday night in Cincinnati during the 10th inning of a 6-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds. His disabled list status will last until August 16.

Prado described the incident as his finger getting stuck in a hole near home plate as he dove for the base head first. Although the X-Rays showed nothing, the next day’s examination found a fracture which the team doctors decided did not need surgery. It is a “stable avulsion fracture” which means a piece of tendon has separated from the bone. “I felt it” Prado says “It was not normal pain.”

He had hurt himself but not without result. His low reach for the base scored in a two run double provided by Jason Heyward. Prado has had one of his best seasons, and prior to this injury he is batting .315 with a 43 RBI and 13 home runs. He is the team leader with 75 runs scored and 138 hits. The infielder was trying to reach 200 hits this season, having reached 100 hits in his 69th game, the second fewest games in all of Braves history. The fewest games played to achieve this record was Ralph Garr who hit 100 times in just 62 games in 1974.

Prado leads the majors right now with 44 multi hit games and has a personal career high of 13 homers. However he performs, the most unique aspect of his career is when he dropped a bat after hitting and it stood on end in a 2007 game. The attending fans went wild with amazement, a very rare occurrence.

Being called up from the Triple-A Gwinnett, Diory Hernandez will be an active infielder to assist during Prado’s absence. Hernandez will probably spot start and pinch hit in the near future as All Star Omar Infante replaces Prado as the active infielder. Omar is a dynamic asset for Atlanta, he has also started as third base, shortstop and outfielder this season.

Hernandez is also a suitable replacement, he was batting .319 as he played briefly with the parent club one year ago. He also had a 17 RBI in 30 games for Gwinnett before getting the call to the majors. Unfortunately, he recently struck out against Met’s starter Johan Santana while pinch hitting in the sixth inning.

Disappointed Prado was quoted “The most important games are coming up and I want to be a part of it.” Bobby Cox, the team’s current manager hopes for the best but said “If he [Prado] was only going to be out a couple of days, we could wait, but I don’t think it would be good if he’s going to be out for like 10 days.” Braves fans discussed this injury on many websites making it a hot topic for betting speculation.

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