Merrifield (head) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

The 35-year-old cleared the concussion protocol after being hit in the back of the head by a pitch Tuesday, but he'll still be held out of the lineup for at least one game. According to David O'Brien of The Athletic, Merrifield had a CT scan come back clean and could be back in the starting nine for Thursday's series finale.

Merrifield cleared concussion protocol after being hit in the back of the head by a pitch during Tuesday's game against Colorado, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Merrifield will also undergo a CT scan just to be safe, per Bowman, but there is a chance that the 35-year-old second baseman starts Wednesday's contest. Otherwise, the keystone would likely be occupied by Luke Williams.

Merrifield was removed from Tuesday's game against the Rockies after getting hit in the head by a pitch, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Merrifield took a 94-mph fastball off the back of his helmet during the seventh inning of Tuesday's contest. The fact he was able to walk off the field under his own power is a good sign, but Atlanta's medical staff will likely evaluate him for a potential concussion. Luke Williams entered as Merrifield's replacement and could be in line for a start at second base if the 35-year-old needs to miss some time.

Merrifield went 5-for-5 with a double and two runs scored in Monday's win over the Twins.

EDGE Analysis

Merrifield scored in each of the first two innings during his perfect day at the dish. The veteran utility man has fit right in since joining Atlanta; he's gone 25-for-80 (.313) in 25 games with his new squad. For the year, Merrifield owns a .678 OPS with 15 extra-base hits and 38 runs scored over 272 plate appearances.

Merrifield will start at second base and bat leadoff in Monday's game against the Twins.

EDGE Analysis

Merrifield will get his first look in the leadoff role while Michael Harris takes a seat after injuring his hand in Sunday's 5-1 loss to the Nationals. Assuming he avoids a trip to the injured list, Harris should eventually settle back in atop the lineup, but Merrifield looks as though he'll retain a prominent spot in the batting order. After mostly hitting eighth or ninth in his first three weeks with Atlanta, Merrifield had batted either second or sixth in his last five starts before getting the leadoff nod Monday. Merrifield's ascension in the lineup comes while he's reached base in each of his last 19 starts while slashing a robust .279/.413/.410 over that stretch.

Merrifield went 1-for-4 with a solo homer and a stolen base in Saturday's win over the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Merrifield swiped his 15th bag of the season in the second inning after reaching on a fielder's choice play and then went on to score Atlanta's fourth run of the contest following a single from Michael Harris. The second baseman would later spark a five-run inning with a leadoff homer in the fifth, marking his first long ball since June 8 against the Mets. Merrifield has now hit safely in three of his last four games and has scored at least one run in three of his last five.

Merrifield went 1-for-3 with a walk, a run scored and a stolen base in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Making his first start as Atlanta's new second baseman and batting ninth, Merrifield made a solid contribution to a 6-2 victory that included his 13th steal of the year. The veteran utility player appears fully recovered from the finger injury he suffered immediately after signing with the team July 22, and until Ozzie Albies (wrist) is ready to return, Merrifield has little competition for playing time at the keystone. His .578 OPS on the season is a career low, but he could turn things around down the stretch as Atlanta tries to catch the Phillies -- the team that cut him loose in mid-July -- in the NL East standings.

Merrifield (finger) will start at second base and bat ninth in Wednesday's game against the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Merrifield came off the bench and stole a base in Atlanta's 3-2 loss to the Mets last Thursday, but he otherwise hadn't played since joining the club on a one-year deal July 22. That same day, Merrifield injured a finger on his throwing hand during pregame warmups, but the issue wasn't serious enough for Atlanta to place him on the injured list at any point. With manager Brian Snitker noting Tuesday that Merrifield's finger has improved to the point that he can throw without issue, the 35-year-old appears poised to serve as Atlanta's everyday second baseman until Ozzie Albies (wrist) is ready to return from the IL. Rookie Nacho Alvarez had been serving as the primary option at the keystone for the past week and a half, but he struggled mightily at the plate and was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said Tuesday that Merrifield (finger) is now able to throw without any issues, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Merrifield still needs to get the stitches removed from his injured finger, but that could happen at any time. He could be ready to play as soon as Wednesday. With rookie Nacho Alvarez batting .100 since getting called up from Triple-A Gwinnett on July 22, Merrifield would appear in line to handle most of the starts at second base while Ozzie Albies (wrist) is sidelined.

Merrifield can't throw the ball well with the stitches in his finger and likely won't be able to play in the field until the stitches are removed, which isn't expected to occur until Atlanta returns home Thursday, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

EDGE Analysis

Merrifield suffered a finger injury while taking grounders shortly after being signed by Atlanta on Monday. Although he entered Thursday's game as a pinch runner and stole a base, he's unable to play in the field and likely won't be able to until after Atlanta's road trip ends Wednesday. While Merrifield playing as the designated hitter hasn't officially been ruled out, Atlanta has several alternate options at DH and likely won't rush Merrifield back.