Cards 3B Nolan Arenado (sprained finger) taken out vs. Braves

The St. Louis Cardinals removed star third baseman Nolan Arenado from their game against the visiting Atlanta Braves on Friday night with a sprained right index finger.

Arenado, who was 1-for-3, was replaced in the seventh inning by Thomas Saggese. While it was unclear how Arenado hurt the finger, it is the same injury that kept him out of two games last week during a series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Cardinals tried to trade the eight-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner last offseason but could not find a suitable partner, and the 34-year-old was expected to be a trade candidate ahead of the July 31 deadline.

Arenado raised his average to .246 with his single Friday. He has 10 home runs and 42 RBIs in 84 games this season.

Earlier in the same game, the Braves also removed their third baseman, saying Austin Riley was experiencing lower abdominal tightness. Riley drove in the game's opening run on a first-inning single.

--Field Level Media