ATLANTA -- The Cubs breathed a sigh of relief on Wednesday afternoon after receiving an injury scare regarding third baseman and reigning National League Most Valuable Player Kristopher Bryant.
In the first inning of an 8-2 win against the Braves that secured a series sweep and the Cubs' sixth straight victory, Bryant injured his left pinkie finger on a slide into third base. He exited the game and was later diagnosed with a sprain. An X-ray revealed no fracture, and Bryant is considered day-to-day.
"I am fine, and it is good," Bryant said. "I dodged a bullet. When you slide into someone's foot, all the problems you think of are extreme scenarios."
Bryant attempted to steal third base after hitting a double against Braves pitcher R.A. Dickey. As he dove headfirst into the bag, it appeared that his finger hit the shoe of Braves third baseman Johan Camargo. Bryant grimaced in pain before walking off the field.

"I was kind of scared to look at my finger, and I was like, 'Uh-oh,' as this never ends up good," Bryant said. "I don't think anyone slides into someone's foot and walks away from it. That was my initial reaction."
Bryant also said that he has a laceration around his fingernail, but that he wasn't bothered by the cut. He hopes that with treatment and Thursday's off-day, he can return from the injury in a couple of days.
"I usually respond well to treatment that they put me through," Bryant said. "Knowing me, I would not love to miss any [games]," Bryant said.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon said that he doesn't anticipate Bryant missing a lot of time.
"From what I understand, I don't think it is anything debilitating or even a long period of time," Maddon said. "He heals quickly, as we have seen with the ankle, and I don't anticipate a long period of time."
If Bryant should miss time, the Cubs could shift infielder Thomas La Stella over to third base. La Stella replaced Bryant in the second inning and hit a home run against his former team. His home run went over the right-field wall and helped the Cubs pull within two games of the first-place in the NL Central prior to Milwaukee's game Wednesday night.

The Cubs play the Cardinals starting Friday in a pivotal series.
"I was really more concerned with getting La Stella into a game, as we hadn't gotten him into a game this point [on the road trip]," Maddon said. "Just because of the injury to KB, he gets his four at-bats, and that is great for us moving forward."