ATLANTA (AP) — One-half inch may have been the difference between Freddie Freeman facing another extended stay on the disabled list and remaining in the Atlanta Braves’ lineup.

The first baseman avoided serious injury when he was hit on his left wrist by a pitch from Philadelphia’s Hoby Milner Wednesday night. Freeman said the ball hit one-half inch from where he was hit by a pitch last season, causing a fracture that forced him to miss seven weeks.

A C.T. Scan on Thursday confirmed the good news for Freeman. When X-rays taken Wednesday night showed no structural damage, he immediately began lobbying to start in Thursday night’s game against the New York Mets. Freeman was cleared to start after taking about 25 swings Thursday.

Freeman said he “got lucky” to escape with only some bruising and discomfort. READ MORE>