Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves

Braves pitcher Wentz appears to injure knee

Injury occurs on collision during Rays bunt attempt, doesn’t appear to be serious.
Braves pitcher Joey Wentz. pictured during a batting practice session in February, appears to have escaped serious injury when he collided with the Rays' Taylor Walls after Walls laid down a bunt Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Port Charlotte, Fla.. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC

Braves pitcher Joey Wentz. pictured during a batting practice session in February, appears to have escaped serious injury when he collided with the Rays' Taylor Walls after Walls laid down a bunt Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Port Charlotte, Fla.. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)
By
March 8, 2026

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Braves pitcher Joey Wentz left Sunday’s game against the Rays at Charlotte Sports Park with an apparent knee injury.

Pitching in the fifth inning, Wentz recorded two outs after a leadoff double. With a runner on third, Rays shortstop Taylor Walls dropped a bunt up the first-base line. Wentz ran to cover first and collided with Walls.

ExploreBraves pitcher Didier Fuentes gets first Grapefruit League action

Wentz fell to the ground, where he remained for several minutes before being carted off the field. He got off the cart under his own power and walked into the clubhouse on his own.

The injury was not immediately thought to be serious and Wentz is day-to-day. He was to be further evaluated Sunday.

About the Author

Chad Bishop is the Atlanta Braves beat writer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Follow Chad Bishop on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Atlanta Braves pitcher Joey Wentz throws against the Detroit Tigers in the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game, Monday, March 2, 2026, in Lakeland, Fla. (John Raoux/AP)

Credit: AP

MLB

Braves’ Joey Wentz out for season with injury

Wentz, injured during a collision with a base runner during Sunday’s game against the Rays in Port Charlotte, Florida, has a torn ACL in his right knee.

Braves lefty Joey Wentz leaves spring game after awkward step covering first base

Atlanta Braves left-hander Joey Wentz left Sunday’s outing against the Tampa Bay Rays with a right leg injury from an awkward step while covering first base. MLB.

76ers All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey to miss at least 2 games with a sprained finger

Tyrese Maxey will miss at least two games after he sprained his right pinkie. The 76ers said on Sunday that Maxey needs more tests before doctors decide on a treatment plan.

The Latest

Julio Teheran of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at SunTrust Park on August 28, 2018 in Atlanta. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Credit: Kevin C. Cox

MLB

Former Braves pitcher Julio Teheran announces retirement

MLB

Braves’ Joey Wentz out for season with injury

MLB

Game updates: Braves beat the Twins

Featured

(Photo Illustration: Philip Robibero / AJC | Source: Miguel Martinez for AJC)

Credit: Philip Robibero / AJC

How short-term rental investors took over a historic Atlanta high-rise

Landmark high-rise residents say they once lived in a tranquil condo community. Then came the short-term rental businesses, and the lawsuits.

POLITICALLY GEORGIA

6 takeaways from a hectic Crossover Day in the Georgia Legislature

Lawmakers debated sports betting, touchscreen voting systems and Fani Willis ahead of a key legislative deadline last week.

Hall County teacher run over, killed confronting teens after prank, police say

An 18-year-old faces vehicular manslaughter charges after a late-night "rolling" prank turns deadly in a Gainesville neighborhood, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office says.