Braves’ Lane Thomas headed to IL after injury during pregame hitting

By: The Associated Press Posted: 2:39 PM CDT Thursday, Sep. 10, 2026

ATLANTA (AP) — Braves outfielder Lane Thomas is headed to the 15-day injured list after hurting himself in the batting cage before the game Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

ATLANTA (AP) — Braves outfielder Lane Thomas is headed to the 15-day injured list after hurting himself in the batting cage before the game Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

ATLANTA (AP) — Braves outfielder Lane Thomas is headed to the 15-day injured list after hurting himself in the batting cage before the game Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Thomas was set to start the series finale against the Rays, but he sustained an intercostal injury in his right side while taking swings in the cage, according to manager Walt Weiss.

“Lane was obviously a late scratch, right before the game,” Weiss said. “We had some chaos there.”

Atlanta Braves' Lane Thomas, center, scores past Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto, left, and pitcher Cristopher Sánchez on a single by Austin Riley during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

The 31-year-old Thomas was acquired from Kansas City ahead of the trade deadline to give the first-place Braves another right-handed batter. He is hitting just .171 with one homer and three RBIs in 21 games with his new team.

Brewer Hicklen started in place of Thomas and went 0-for-2 in Atlanta’s 3-1 victory.