Braves’ Ozzie Albies breaks pinkie just after returning from injury

A day after coming off the 60-day injured list, Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies returns.

Albies, who had just missed 81 games with a broken left foot, broke his right little finger in Saturday night’s 4-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

The injury happened in the fourth inning as Albies slid headfirst into second base.

Braves manager Brian Snitker said Albies will miss the rest of the regular season, but a return to the playoffs is possible.

« I hate it for him. My heart breaks for him, » Snitker told reporters at a post-match press conference. « After everything he’s been through to come back here and have this happen , it’s just horrible for him. He was having so much fun, being the old Oz. You know, he plays ball, which he likes to do. It’s just a pity.

Braves star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. was down after Albies’ latest injury.

« Obviously it’s great that we got the win, that’s the most important thing, but it’s really sad that Ozzie got injured again, » Acuna told reporters. “We need him. Like I said, it’s really sad.

Albies is hitting .247 this season with eight home runs and 35 RBIs. He’s made two All-Star appearances and won two Silver Slugger awards since joining Atlanta in 2017. Last season, he was an integral part of the Braves’ World Series Cours.