Braves' Merrifield fractures foot same week he was hit in head by pitch

It's been a rough week for Whit Merrifield.

The Atlanta Braves infielder was diagnosed with a fracture in his left foot on Saturday, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman.

Doctors originally told Merrifield he'd miss six weeks, but he might be able to play against the Los Angeles Dodgers next weekend, Bowman adds.

Merrifield was removed from a game on Friday after fouling a ball off his foot.

The veteran's injury comes four days after he was hit in the head by a pitch in a contest against the Colorado Rockies. He proceeded to sound off on big-league teams for calling up pitchers who lack control.

Merrifield got off to a solid start for the Braves after they signed him on July 22, but he's struggled lately: The 35-year-old has just two hits in his last 31 at-bats.

Eli White, Luke Williams, and Ramón Laureano could be infield options with Merrifield and Ozzie Albies out of action, Braves manager Brian Snitker said, according to Gabe Burns of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.