WASHINGTON – Mallex Smith’s major league debut ended abruptly when the speedy Braves center-field prospect left Monday’s game with a bloody laceration over his left eye after being struck by his batting helmet on a fourth-inning slide.
Smith required five stitches but was otherwise in good spirits, with no concussion concerns or anything else. Braves manager said he might rest him Tuesday night in the second game of the series against the Nationals, but only because the Braves are facing a left-hander (Gio Gonzalez) and he’d already planned to play Drew Stubbs in center against him.
Smith was on first base with two out in the fourth inning of series opener when he tried to steal second.