Atlanta Braves star first baseman Freddie Freeman left Wednesday's game against the New York Yankees after being hit by a pitch just above his right elbow.
Freeman was plunked by Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia in the third inning of a 6-2 loss in New York. The two-time All-Star did not receive any medical attention and initially stayed in the game before being replaced by Danny Santana in the fourth inning.
The Braves said Freeman suffered a right upper arm contusion, but Freeman and manager Brian Snitker both said he is expected to play Thursday.
"I did this in Houston, I think six or seven years ago -- I got hit by a pitch in my elbow and I played the next day in a day game," Freeman told reporters. "So that's what I'm kind of hoping for here.
"I still can't really lift it up or do anything that I need to do to play tomorrow, but I'm hoping the compression and a couple more [rounds of] ice, and I've got [an electrical stimulation machine] coming to my room tonight -- so hopefully all that will make [the swelling] get out."
Freeman told reporters "it looks like a baseball on my triceps right now" but did not undergo X-rays.
Freeman, 28, is batting .308 with 16 home runs and 56 RBIs this season for the Braves.