Injuries are part of sports. Over the course of a 162-game series, every team is going to deal with injuries. But the Atlanta Braves are truly having a nightmarish injury situation this season, and we saw just how it can impact a team defensively on Wednesday.
During the opening game of the Braves’ doubleheader against the Reds, Spencer Steer hit an opposite-field fly ball to right that was out of a diving Adam Duvall’s range. Steer — who runs well — was likely going to have an easy triple, but Braves backup infielder Zack Short made the situation worse by *attempting* a relay throw to third.
And when I say “attempting,” I’m putting it kindly. His throw looked like this:
Spencer Steer circles 'em all for the @Reds. pic.twitter.com/LlC55FkKHI
— MLB (@MLB) July 24, 2024
I’m not sure what exactly happened on that throw, but the ball slipped out of Short’s hand and went sideways towards shallow center field. Mind you, Short was playing second this game because both Ozzie Albies and newly signed Whit Merrifield are hurt.
After that botched relay, Steer got up and continued to home for a Little League home run (scored a triple and an error).
Fans certainly had plenty of thoughts on that relay.
This was how Twitter/X reacted
A Mets DFA is actually playing poorly for the Braves https://t.co/JuDdQPK210 pic.twitter.com/wzHKMQcyUt
— will (@will_nets_hater) July 24, 2024
Some people are saying that Zack Short is a Mets sleeper agent. Not me, but some people. https://t.co/8UcpUkzyRt
— Sam Neumann (@Sam_Neumann_) July 24, 2024
https://twitter.com/og_yungdilly/status/1816156425086816353
Zack short is the worst professional athlete I’ve ever seen https://t.co/J4M4MbMVUh
— mac on sports (@mac_onsports) July 24, 2024
Zack short everyone https://t.co/nKxTLjBDup
— James Edward (@JamesEdward1931) July 24, 2024
Zack's relay throw came up a little short https://t.co/paaU4ivi3q
— Will (@will_e_777) July 24, 2024
ZACK SHORT WITH AN ABSOLUTE CANNON TO THROW OUT STEER pic.twitter.com/MVGoBMuFBh
— wheels (jarren duran propagandist) (@ItsWheels11) July 24, 2024
Zack Short making an impact on the Atlanta Braves just how I imagined pic.twitter.com/hxqqDu1IYe
— Calico Joe (@CalicoJoeMLB) July 24, 2024
Adam Duvall and Zack Short just ruined my day and it’s only 11:30.
— Campbell Cave (@c_cave) July 24, 2024
Zack Short what the hell was that😭😭😭 https://t.co/MlXtdJdL63
— Andrew Carr (@theacarr21) July 24, 2024
