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Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman is out for two months after being hit by a pitch in game against the Toronto Blue Jays.
USA TODAY Sports

Freddie Freeman, the National League’s home run leader, has a fractured left wrist that will sideline him at least two months, the club announced Thursday.

Exams Thursday revealed Freeman suffered the fracture when he was struck by an Aaron Loup pitch during the Braves’ victory Wednesday night. It’s a devastating blow for an Atlanta Braves team built around Freeman, 27, who’s the lone long-term veteran building block as the club rings in the first year of SunTrust Park.

“There was no intent,” Freeman said of Loup’s pitch. “He was just trying to do his job and one got away.”

Freeman was batting .341 with an NL-best 14 home runs and a 1.209 on base plus slugging.

President of baseball operations John

Hart said losing Freeman is “devastating news for the ballclub.”

The Braves signed free agent James Loney to a minor league deal. Loney, 33, hit .265 with nine homers in 100 games for the Mets last year and was released from a minor league contract with Detroit this month. He is expected to join Triple-A Gwinnett.

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Coppolella said re-signing Ryan Howard, who was released from Gwinnett on May 8, was not an option.

Jace Peterson, a utility player who has spent most of his time at the middle infield spots, started at first base in Thursday night’s game against the Blue Jays.

“We couldn’t find anybody that could do what Freddie does,” Coppolella said. “He was arguably the best player in the whole league.”

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