Red-hot Harris II (quad) not expecting to miss time after early exit

WASHINGTON -- Michael Harris II gave Braves fans exactly what they wanted to hear when he was asked if he expects to be in the lineup for Friday night’s series opener against the Phillies.

“What’s Friday, tomorrow?” Harris said. “That’s the plan. I’m going to go home, make sure I do everything right and then come in and see how I’m feeling.”

Harris was removed from Thursday’s 7-2 win over the Nationals after his left quad tightened as he ran to second base with a seventh-inning RBI double. He was replaced in center field by Eli White during the bottom half of the inning.

“There was a little tightness,” Harris said. “I didn't want to have to go later in the game and have to make a real jump and make it worse. So, it’s still early in the season, I guess we had a lead right there. So, it was kind of a precaution.”

Braves manager Walt Weiss also seemed optimistic about the ailment.

“I don’t think it’s anything serious,” Weiss said. “Obviously, we’ll revisit it tomorrow. But we’ve got our fingers crossed that it’s not anything serious.”

Harris entered April 10 hitting .213 with a .543 OPS. The 2022 National League Rookie of the Year has hit .447 with five home runs and a 1.383 OPS over the 11 games that have followed. He’s now hitting .318 with a .921 OPS.

“I’m coming through in situations, so it feels good right now,” Harris said.