Hellickson reinjures wrist while batting (Nats lead 5-1)

ATLANTA - Jeremy Hellickson's return from a sprained right wrist lasted only three innings after the Nationals pitcher appeared to reinjure the wrist while batting.

Hellickson, making his return one month after he hurt himself bracing for a fall while covering the plate following a wild pitch, looked perfectly healthy on the mound during his three innings against the Braves. He allowed one unearned run (though that was a result of his own throwing error on a pickoff attempt) on two hits and threw 60 pitches, seemingly without issue.

Hellickson also appeared to be fine in his first at-bat of the game, though he never made contact during a three-pitch strikeout. In his second at-bat, he fouled off the first pitch he got from Braves starter Julio Teheran, then swung and missed at the second offering.

Almost immediately, Hellickson walked back to the dugout, took off his helmet and batting glove and removed himself from the game.

Andrew Stevenson took over the at-bat and struck out, while Jefry Rodriguez began furiously warming in the bullpen to take over on the mound in the bottom of the fourth.

It was a frustrating development for Hellickson, who was looking forward to making a couple more starts and heading back into free agency on a high note. If he's unable to return now in the season's final two weeks, he'll end up 5-3 with a 3.45 ERA in 19 starts.

Update: Hellickson's early departure opened the door for Rodriguez to step up, and just as he did after replacing Hellickson here on June 3, the rookie right-hander has seized the opportunity. Rodriguez retired the side in the fourth, then pitched around a two-out walk in the fifth. And his teammates have extended their lead. Up 2-1 when Hellickson left the game, the Nats now lead 5-1 thanks to a three-run sixth. They've taken advantage of the 11 - yes, 11 - walks issued so far by Braves pitching, with Anthony Rendon driving in a pair with the bases loaded to cap the rally. Juan Soto has reached base in all four of his plate appearances so far, another impressive performance by the 19-year-old.