Braves' Whit Merrifield: Injury hampering throwing ability

Merrifield can't throw the ball well with the stitches in his finger and likely won't be able to play in the field until the stitches are removed, which isn't expected to occur until Atlanta returns home Thursday, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Merrifield suffered a finger injury while taking grounders shortly after being signed by Atlanta on Monday. Although he entered Thursday's game as a pinch runner and stole a base, he's unable to play in the field and likely won't be able to until after Atlanta's road trip ends Wednesday. While Merrifield playing as the designated hitter hasn't officially been ruled out, Atlanta has several alternate options at DH and likely won't rush Merrifield back.